Freedom Part 2 – Freeing Ourselves
My last post was about the idea of freedom and independence in our relationships. This month, my focus is on freedom and our relationship with our self.
Do you find yourself feeling stuck, anxious, weighed down? Do you compare yourself to others? Do you have an inner voice that is critical, demanding or guilt inducing?
Have you had the experience of knowing something logically, but still struggling with emotions or beliefs that are counter-productive?
Our emotional brain is powerful (and complicated), and there are so many ways that it can hijack us and keep us feeling bad. Finding freedom within is about finding a sense of inner peace, acceptance and well-being – even when outside circumstances are stressful or we have experienced difficulties. It is about our relationship with our self and our inner voice; our default beliefs and thinking patterns; working through our past losses, disappointments, and traumas. It is about being okay with be human and a work in progress.
Finding inner freedom is a process and a journey. It can take time and require guidance. I know for sure that time and energy spent working on our self and our own emotional freedom is SO worth it. I have experienced this myself and in my work with many clients over the years.
If you need some support and guidance on your journey, please reach out and contact me at linda@stilescousneling.com
Articles of Interest
Tapping / Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional freedom technique (EFT), which people often refer to as EFT tapping, is an alternative therapy for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and some other conditions.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326434#research
https://www.tappingsolutionfoundation.org/howdoesitwork/
Embracing our Shadow Side
As we learn to accept and care for the once-rejected parts of ourselves, an extraordinary thing happens: they become our allies. It is attending to the difficult or darker aspects that allows us to grow and evolve into our best selves.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/books/summer-reading.html
The Gift of Imperfection
Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do. – Brene Brown
https://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/excerpt-the-gifts-of-imperfection-by-dr-brene-brown
Feeling Overwhelmed? Remember RAIN
Tara Brach outlines four steps to stop being so hard on ourselves.
Breathe deeply (yes, this really makes a difference)
Whether you’re out for a walk or at home in front of your laptop, scientists have discovered that how you breathe can actually impact the way you feel and think, both of which have an impact on your critical thinking skills.
Researchers at Northwestern University conducted a series of experiments that demonstrated that inhaling through our nose stimulates areas of our brain associated with memory processing and decision-making more than inhaling through mouth does. In fact, the researchers found that inhaling through our nose when absorbing new information actually allows us to better retain that information.
Several studies that have already shown how deep breath exercises can help reduce stress levels and calm our emotional state, something that’s no doubt needed in this stressful time. But what this study also demonstrates is how paying attention to how we breathe can also help activate areas of our brain that will boost our critical thinking skills by improving our memory, decision-making, as well as our emotional state.
https://www.tanveernaseer.com/boost-critical-thinking-skills-during-covid-19-pandemic/
Accepting All Our Emotions
Yes, it’s important to focus on the positive and count our blessings, but it’s also important to allow and accept all our feelings. It is healthy to have a full range of emotions, including the hard ones. Pressure to always have a ‘positive’ outlook can sneak up on us and it’s not helpful. Read on about why it’s okay not to be okay.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-toxic-positivity-coronavirus_l_5f04bca0c5b67a80bbff7cd3
Quotes & Inspiration
Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. ― Mahatma Gandhi
The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear. ―Aung San Suu Kyi
Freedom, in any case, is only possible by constantly struggling for it. ―Albert Einstein
The most profound thing we can offer our children is our own healing. -Anne Lamott
Everything can be taken from a man but… the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Victor Frankl
Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free. ―Thich Nhat Hanh
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