The Story in My Head: Healing & Self-Improvement for the Lazy

When I think about Margins of Error, I think about numbers and engineering and architecture.  But when it comes to human interactions, I call margins of error 'grace'.  And I extend more grace to others than I extent to myself.  I'm working to change this and today's episode describes my current process and explores changes I can make to the Story in my Head.  Beware, I am a beginner!!!!!!!

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

We often get caught up in what we think matters to our spouse, our children, our parents, our boss, and the like.  When was the last time we wondered what matters to us?!? Today I am exploring what really matters to me and experimenting with being open to new things.  

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

Last Christmas my father and I spoke for the last time before he passed away January 4th 2024.  That day he gifted me FORGIVENESS, and extended me permission to begin forgiving myself.  Today I am beginning a new experiment by reminding myself my past is forgiven, is not worth repeating and no longer needs space in the Story in My Head. Happy Holidays!!! 

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, forgiveness, self care, relationships, addiction

I was afraid and could not figure out how to change the story in my head.  I was ruminating on the 'what ifs' and was struggling to change my thinking into anything other than a scary situation!  In desperation I gave myself what I wanted someone else to give me...a hug.  My fears were eased and since then I've been  giving myself all kinds of things that I'd like to receive from the world. My newest experiment...hug, smile at, compliment, listen to, laugh at and enjoy myself.  Let's see what this does to my story!  

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

I hear people talk about 'cultivating' peace, joy, whatever and it seems like a lot of work.  I like quick, easy and free.  Can finding more peace be quick, easy and free?  I think so.  One new experiment at a time.  Today, I am trying to grow my sense of peace like I would try to grow a Weeping Willow.  

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

Most if us struggle with anger, be it when we are angry or when we are around someone who is angry.  It is an uncomfortable emotion that all of us experience more often than we prefer.  And it is an emotion most of us are not taught how to handle without creating some form of harm.  If we work to accept anger for what it is and not try to translate what it means, will be get more comfortable with anger? I don't know.  It's my latest experiment.  I am going to practice being angry without trying to do anything about it.    

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

I feel like FEAR is all around me.  Real events, threats and fears that are broadcast on all media outlets 24 hours a day; as well as perceived events, threats and fears I tell myself with the Stories in My Head.  I am tired of living in fear.  I need a break!  I am going on a Fear Diet. I am asking those around me AND MYSELF to pause from talking about those things that make us feel afraid. I am reducing my fear intake!!!  

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

The holiday season can be a stressful time of year for a lot of reasons.  For  Thanksgiving, I've decided to give myself a Worry Free Day.  The story in my head for Thanksgiving 2024 is "Choose to be greatful, decide to not worry and remember everything is going to be okay."  Happy Ok Day!!!

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

One of the most powerful stories in my head narrates how I see myself.  If I want to change the stories that lower my self esteem, I want to focus on the parts of myself I like.  And when I see parts of myself I don't find favorable, I can shift my focus from "that's an ugly part" to "That's a part I am willing to change"! 

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction

In working to re-write many of the stories in my head, I'm learning there are times re-writing them keeps my focus on the story itself. It may serve me better to shift my focus to a different story!  In changing my focus away from an old story I've been re-telling to a different story all together, I've changed the narrative completely!  Ignoring something for a while can be the best thing I can do for myself. 

anxiety, depression, trauma, healing, self esteem, change, communication, self care, relationships, addiction