‘I hate clothes shopping! and now the dread has now become so bad that I walk in and out of shops aimlessly not knowing where to start anymore. A lot of it is due to my lack of body confidence I just want some clothes that I feel confident wearing.’
In this episode, Emma is answering Katie’s question about clothes shopping and explores the real barriers that are stopping her from developing the style and personal persona that she wants. Emma and Katie explored this topic in a live interview.
Katie’s question will resonate with many and Emma’s advice is invaluable so tune in now to find out more.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
An issue that is causing challenges in one area, can impact on other areas of your life. In identifying and exploring a particular block wider issues and other blocks that need to be overcome can be revealed.
Where is the main block for you?
The changing rooms have lots of mirrors and it's quite overwhelming if you’re not very body confident. The more I think about it the more anxious I feel about it.
What do you think might need to happen in order that you can relax and see shopping as a treat for yourself?
I would need to have a more positive body image and have a more positive opinion about myself.
There is a phenomenon in psychology where when you look at yourself in the mirror, what you see in your head is not what is actually there. You see a perception of yourself, not what is actually reflected from the mirror - this is called an Allostatic Lock.
What you think you look like is not necessarily what others see. We project out what we are thinking to other people and then imagine that is what they are thinking about us!
What's the fear when you think about shopping?
That I won't be able to purchase anything and will have gone through lots of stress coupled with trying clothing on without buying anything, which makes me feel worse.
What's the truth in this situation?
A truth – it’s probably not as hard as I’m making it;
A truth – there are clothes out there that will fit me, and I will look good in;
A truth – a lot of the thoughts I'm having about myself are perceptions, not truths!
Values
I'm conscious that it's about having a personal brand. In having this you are not forgotten, you are remembered and acknowledged.
One of your higher values is your professional credibility. You are putting forward a professional persona and are fully integrated with your business and your brand
You have a low value on fashion, clothing, makeup and hair as concepts on your value list
How can we bring fashion, hair and make up more into alignment with your high values of work and your professional brand?
One of the things getting in the way is materialism. You expect other people to purchase your expertise to teach them what they need to know and get to where they need to go.
By the same token, you need to buy in expertise to get you where you want to go in your business and create the persona you want.
Make use of a personal shopper, they will work with your shape and are experts in knowing what is going to work for you. You will be able to learn from them in a short space of time and use what you have learnt moving forward.
When there is a block where you won’t ask anyone for help, it's often about masking concerns about being seen as weak and vulnerable.
It is important to prioritise yourself and your self-care so that you can look after everything else successfully
BEST MOMENTS
‘There are a lot of things I do in my business that I don’t do in my personal life’
‘The disconnect between what I would do for my business and what I would do in my personal life’
‘I throw myself into my business because that’s where I feel comfortable’
‘I'm definitely going to do it, it seems so logical and makes sense’
‘It's just thinking about it in a different way’
‘I’m guessing the bigger issue at play here is about asking for help’
‘There are so many limits you are putting on yourself’
‘Be yourself, everyone else is taken’
‘There is something about them - they turn up and exude this creativeness and I don’t do that with my style or personal brand’
‘Just because it came into my head doesn’t make it true’
‘The situation is probably not as hard as I'm making it. I’m my worst enemy, stopping myself’
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/cut-the-crap-podcast/id1451700671?mt=2&i=1000430066628
www.bodymindandspirithealing.com
ABOUT THE HOST
Emma Murphy MIACP, BA (Hons) Psych, PGDip Counselling & Psychotherapy, Certified Disordered Eating Practitioner (NCFED UK), FETAC Trainer, Certified Self-Love Coach and all-round Good Egg. Likes old rock music, eating food and being outside in the sunshine. Has a Boxer called Boots and a Jack Russell called Millie, both rescues. Married with a cute but pain in the arse 13-year-old daughter. Either she’ll grow out of it or I’ll therapy it out of her!
I now train other therapists in my Disordered Eating program – Eating Freely – for Binge Eating, Emotional Eating and Bulimia. If you are interested in learning more about this specific area of my work, visit www.eating-freely.com.
CONTACT METHOD
https://twitter.com/eating_freely