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Feeling the need to get UNSTUCK?

Through the ebb and flow of life, there are moments when we feel STUCK. In many of us the need to break-free comes in our thirties, forties, sometimes earlier or even much later in life. It’s a time in our lives when we feel what we know ourselves or our lives to be, isn’t fulfilling something deep inside.

Recent research by Health Assured, a UK based organisation, shows that there is a significant increase in the concerns of women’s mental health, at a much earlier age. This research goes on to share that women are 5 times more likely to be victims of depression than their male counterparts.

Sometimes, we are not sure which part of our life contributes to this feeling of ‘not how it should be’. As women, we move though many roles in one day and the media has portrayed women being able to do this with PERFECTION in all spaces, which adds to our mindset. The neverending pressures of looking perfect, having the perfect career, being the perfect partner that keeps the home fires burning brightly, having perfect children, being the perfect parent, or being the perfect child keep mounting.

Journaling is an amazing tool and often helps one to write down their thoughts and feelings. It’s a place where you can write your honest and unfiltered thoughts, which can allow for a level of release with no fear of judgement. This tool can also start showing you a pattern of what might be the area in your life that is adding the most amount of stress.

There are several journaling practices, and it does not have to be a daily pressure:

  • 5-minute Journaling – share your thoughts of the day; what you are feeling, what made your day happy or difficult.
  • Journal of Gratitude – finding 3 things to be grateful for. This practice deters you from being consumed with negativity and thereby shifts your thinking.
  • Weekly Reflections – this helps looking back on your week.
    • What was great?
    • What joy did you bring to others?
    • What joy did you bring to yourself?
    • Did you achieve this week what you set out to do?
    • What can you do differently next week?
    • How full is your cup?

As you build this practice, you start shifting your thinking. It is important to know that we can only be happy once we are able to surround ourselves with people of the same mindset, be it family or friend circles. Learning to access the right resources to help you live the life you see for yourself is very important. This may sometimes require you to totally or partially move out of the lives of people that do not add value or positivity.

Vanessa Raju – Mum, Partner, Life Coach, Businesswoman – www.coachtoself.co.za

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