You started down the road of changing your mindset this week and created a reminder for yourself! Surrounding your environment with little notes or pictures to remind you to change your thoughts is one of the easiest and sometimes humorous ways to take those baby steps in changing a negative mindset.

Mindset work requires us to be more present with our thoughts and emotions (even when they are conflicting – relief/sadness, anger/gratitude). I remind myself to take an internal inventory and shift my choices using the tools we’ve discussed during this series to live a healthier mental and physical life I enjoy more often than not.

Being present is like surfing on a wave. If you stop to ‘test the water’ (future), you fall, and if you turn your head to check behind you (past), you fall. The goal is to enjoy the ride and learn from our mistakes (present). There’s always another wave coming! 

Catching yourself in the moment of a negative mindset will become more effortless and habitual as you begin to shift. Old patterns will literally fade away in your physical brain, and new neuro-pathways form as you shift, creating new go-to thought patterns. 

Support yourself this week! Pick a fun reminder that means something to you and tell someone about it. I chose a picture of a wave. It’s printed and posted on my computer, calendar, and mirrors to remind myself to ‘stay present’ and enjoy the ride. My family points to them when I’m out of sorts, as I don’t always hit the mark, but the reminders help me pause and breathe and recognize presence is but one choice away. 

Take time this weekend to play around with reminders that help you choose different, more beneficial thought patterns. Have fun with it! Choose something that will bring a smile to your face as you encounter it throughout the day.