This is a post that I’ve wanted to write for a while… one that I wanted to really take the time and space to create for you. Because you see, I’ve always been so resistant somewhere inside of me to this phrase “change your life.” I think it’s because it’s too quickly and too readily tossed around in the online space. But the thing is, in my own mindset journey, I’ve come to really see that there are a few mindset tools that I use almost daily that have entirely changed and absolutely revolutionized my life.
As a mindset coach for creatives, these are some of my favourite tools to also draw on in my client sessions.
But I’ll say the same thing to you right now that I always share with my clients before diving into tools and modalities… above all else, remember that you are your best guide and know intuitively what is right for you.
If one of these mindset tools really doesn’t jive with you, simply release it and let it go. You will know a tool is worth exploring when you actually feel excited to explore it.
1. Writing Out Your Thoughts, Feelings + Dreams (In a Journal or Digital Capsule)
In the wise words of one of my personal favourite spiritual thought leaders, Byron Katie, “once the mind is stopped on paper, thoughts remain stable, and inquiry can easily be applied.”
There’s something so incredibly powerful about writing down our thoughts. It can…
a) stop a story you’re playing out in your mind, causing you to really take a moment and ponder if this story is really true for you or if it’s simply a story you’re telling yourself (or an external narrative you have adopted)
b) allow you to explore the thoughts that are occupying valuable brain space for you
The reason that I leave the format open to you, and don’t say strictly this has to look like a journal, is that I don’t believe there ever is simply one way of doing things. What matters is that you actually create a safe and intentional space for you to explore your thoughts and, most importantly, actually write them down. I have clients who love keeping a paper journal, and I have others who actually do their entire daily mindset practice on their iPad or tablet because this is where they feel most creative. It doesn’t matter, so long as you’re getting the words down on the page (or digital page!)
2. Daily Quiet (and Listening) Time
Every single day, I encourage you to find a little bit of quiet time to really listen to the guidance that’s available to you… your intuitive guidance and the universal wisdom that is accessible to you if you’re able to simply quiet your mind enough to let them speak!
This can look like a morning walk by yourself to gather your thoughts. It could be a full meditation session, a simple yoga flow. It doesn’t matter. There’s no one way to do this.
What’s important is creating this a daily discipline.
Because your intuition, for example, is like a muscle – the more you flex and practice it, the stronger it will get!
3. Questioning Your Thoughts
Byron Katie (who I’ve already gushed about… because she’s fantastic) uses the methodology, the Work, which is a process of inquiry. Above all else, this Work is about questioning (or inquiring) into our thoughts… To realize that we’re not defined by our thoughts. To recognize that we don’t have to buy into the story that our brain is trying to tell us… especially if it’s not true to us.
If you’ve never heard of Byron Katie, I highly recommend exploring her approach, mainly the 4 Questions of Inquiry. You can dive into it at a high level right here.
But to paraphrase, the 4 questions are:
- Is this true?
- Can you know for certain that it’s true?
- How do you react when you have that thought?
- Who would you be without that thought?
This modality can be used on attack thoughts, to question stories you catch yourself caught up in, or even working through your judgements of others.
4. An Intentional Morning Routine
I know, I know, you’re likely sick of hearing about morning routines, but there’s a reason they’re so widely recommended by us mindset coaches. But here’s the thing… your morning routine doesn’t have to look Instagram-worthy to be worthy. Likewise, your morning routine doesn’t have to look like anything other than what YOU want it to look like.
Whatever makes you feel good and fills your cup is worth spending the time on first thing in the morning because it allows you to pour more fully into others for the remainder of the day!
While your routine can look any way you want it to, consider fuelling your: body, mind and soul throughout the routine. For example, breakfast, self-development reading, and journaling.
5. Cord Cutting + Energetic Cleansing
You can use many tools and devices to really cleanse your energy at the end (or even throughout) of the day, but cord-cutting is one of the simplest and most influential in my experience.
Cord-cutting can be done as a physical process (you can actually cut a cord if you need to really feel this), or in your imagination, or with a meditative device like a crystal (I personally use a selenite wand to cut the cord). All you need to do is imagine one by one the other external ideas, beliefs, energies and worries of all the individuals you’ve interacted with within a given day and actually imagine severing the cord one by one between each.
6. Daily Reading + Learning About Self
Alongside the note about morning routines, I encourage you to have a daily practice for learning more about yourself. This could already be accounted for in your morning routine, but if not, listen up.
Always have a mindset/ personal development book on the go – because that way, you have something you can open and inspire you first thing in the morning and throughout the day. When you want to go and scroll on Facebook or Instagram and waste an hour mindlessly scrolling (in turn feeling worse about yourself), pick up your book!
7. Affirmations + Mantras
Again I know it’s often mentioned, but affirmations really work! My favourite analogy for why they work is to imagine your brain like a wild field. Just like a wild field, the more often you walk the same path over and over, the deeper and clearer that path will be carved. It’s the same in our brains with an affirmation: the more we practice and recite our more empowering affirmation when we want to slip into a past limiting belief, the stronger and clearer that neurological pathway becomes!
Need help crafting an empowering affirmation? Try out one of these confidence-boosting affirmations!
8. Intentional Pattern Interrupts
This is one of my absolute favourites – when you catch yourself slipping into a low-vibe or scarce mindset, do something immediately to shift that energy out of your body… something that makes you feel good.
This could be getting up and dancing to your favourite song.
It could be simply going into the kitchen and doing a few dishes to keep your hands busy and let your brain settle down.
Or maybe a nice walk in the backyard, grounding your bare feet into the earth.
It doesn’t matter.
It’s about radically shifting the energy in your body in a way that feels good to you.
Build Your Resilience + Cultivate Self Love Through Intentional Journaling…
Journaling allows you to… * Rewire limiting habitual ways of being * Give spotlight to your intuition’s voice * Provide a solstice of self-care * and develop a resilient mindset These prompts are here to guide you when you need to dig deep into your own resilience and self-love.
Other Mindset Posts You’ll Love:
7 Healthy & Productive Habits For a More Positive Mindset
8 Powerful Mindset Tools That Will Change Your Life
5 Self-Care Tips For When You’re Burnt Out
The Ultimate List of Self Care Ideas for Creative Entrepreneurs
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs in your Creative Business
How to Deal with Imposter Syndrome as a Creative
The Healing Crystals I Use In My Creative Business
5 Ways To Practice Self Care When Anxiety Hits
5 Reasons Why Your Mindset is Your Most Powerful Tool
About Lauren
As a multi-passionate creative who’s lived + thrived through 20+ years of chronic anxiety, Lauren loves to help fellow creatives identify the magic already within them. Lauren can help you with feelings of comparison, imposter syndrome, scarcity, shame, and other blocks that are standing between you and thriving in your creative business. Above all else, Lauren’s here to show you that there’s no one way of doing things… just your way.
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