Episode 48: What Story Are You Telling Yourself?

This episode is inspired by a conversation I had the other day with a friend. I was talking on the phone and I said, “Man, this summer is kicking my butt.” Instead of commiserating with me about how summer really is crazy and we are all just trying to do all the things, she called me out.

“Why do you keep saying that?”

And hot damn. I needed that. I needed to be called out. Because truthfully every single time I said that, I was giving away my power. Instead of being in control and showing up each day with purpose and intention, I was submitting to defeat and allowing myself to feel overwhelmed, rushed, anxious, and so burnt out. I was the cause of my own burn out.

Ouch.

So I sat there for a second and thought about it. Why did I feel like summer is kicking my butt? Hmmm. I thought about it for a minute and then said, “Honestly, I think it’s because I’m putting insane expectations on myself. I feel like I get to the end of the day and already feel 10 steps behind for tomorrow.”

But the crazy thing about that is that this imaginary timeline is completely my own! I’ve put a sense of urgency on the things I want/need to get done, and it’s unrealistic because it’s leaving me feeling drained and on edge all day, every day.

I told her thank you for calling me out and making me get curious about my thoughts, feelings, and actions. Because from here, I can make change. The first thing I needed to do was give myself more credit.

We do this all the time. We judge ourself based on past accomplishments or thinking we need to be doing MORE! When I promise you, what you are doing is enough. Stop rushing and be present. I was living so far ahead in the future that I haven’t been able to enjoy my summer right now! The only reason I was feeling rushed and overwhelmed was because of my own thoughts. I had been telling myself this story over and over again all summer. So no surprise that everyday I woke up feeling 10 steps behind!

No more my friends. I got called out. I’m ready to kick out that narrative and shift mine to something much more helpful. Stepping back, getting called out, reviewing how life is going…….it’s something we can do often to make sure that we are showing up in our lives how we want to. The thoughts we have create our reality and my thoughts were creating a reality of overwhelm, and well….I’m over it.

If you need to be called out just like I did. Here it is. Is your story helping you? Are your thoughts empowering you or limiting you? Be honest. Your thoughts are powerful my friends. Make sure you are using that power wisely.