Katharina Buczek
Instead, grab a journal, and on one page, write down your values, interests, or goals. These could be solely mental health-related– such as feeling comfortable in your own skin, learning how to loosen the reigns, or feeling gratitude for your day-to-day.
You can also write about more tangible goals that are career, family, or hobby-oriented. Whatever floats your boat.
Then, on an adjacent page, think about what people or habits are hindering your growth; your achievement of these goals. Do you have a toxic situationship? Are some friendships making you feel totally drained? Or do you have a self-destructive habit or addiction?
Whatever it may be, write it down. Afterward, make a conscious effort every day to allocate your mental energy elsewhere.
2. Practice Self-Awareness
Taking note of how we interact with others is a great way to gauge our own feelings about ourselves and our current life circumstances.
When you catch up with friends, are you more often bubbly, optimistic, and supportive of their endeavors? Or, after hearing about your friend’s new job or partner, are you defensive, judgemental, or jealous?
By practicing self-awareness, you can learn more about your current mental health state– and uncover subconscious triggers you may not have even noticed before. Plus, once you become aware of your pitfalls, you can start to shift your mindset in a new direction.
Yes, it is natural to feel jealous or even bitter sometimes. But you can start working to undo these automatic responses by focusing on the highlights in your own life.
Share your own triumphs, what you are proud of, and what you are looking forward to with your loved ones.
It will not only help your relationships grow deeper, but you will start to gain a more well-rounded view of yourself by not focusing on everything you don’t have.
