This month was one of reflection. I catch myself daydreaming, digging into the past and thinking about the people I have met along the way. My thoughts shift between positive and negative events and I let it happen organically. Going through this catalogue of my life, I became more intrigued to discover what shaped my values, core beliefs and behavior.
We will never be able to pinpoint the exact moment something occurred, however we can trace back the road that leads toward it. Learning from certain situations and gaining insight to ourselves, will help us understand why we do things the way we do.
While walking through memory lane might be a joyous experience, it can also be a painful one. How do we take the lessons we learn from them and actually apply it:
- Hindsight is 2020 – more specifically, the year 2020 rapidly increased our negative responses. Looking back then and even further is the key. Search for a focused event and work forward. What behaviors stem from this?
- Assess your findings – do these events spawn fear, anxiety, deep distress? How do they materialize in your life and relationships? Do you experience mental or physical ramifications?
- Plan of action – understanding your responses will help you to know your triggers and what to do when you encounter them. Working through this will shape your awareness and build your confidence when facing uneasy situations.
Most importantly, talk about it. While having an outside perspective can be freeing , saying things out loud will also help you grasp it . Share your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust or even a professional. Having back up when facing a triggering event will empower you to move forward in a healthy way instead of regressing to old behaviors.
Till next time…
Life Stuff with Tania Snyman 