July 30, 2019 by Anna

Trusting Your Inner Voice | Ways to Trust Yourself

Trust: Trusting Your Inner Voice / Trusting Yourself!

Hi there graduating and new therapists! I wanted to spend some time on the important subject of trusting yourself, trusting your inner voice, your inner guide.

Sometimes it can be hard to hear our inner voice…but it’s there. We might just need to quiet the external noise so that we can connect more with ourselves. With our inner state so that we can hear what we need more clearly so that we can then make decisions that fuel and inspire us.

Circling back to how this relates to you as your enter your new profession. Or, maybe you’re also a new mom and juggling how to grow your private practice and also balance new parenthood. Wherever you are in this journey, I hope this speaks to you…

As you enter this new transition. This new stage in your life, there can sometimes be a lot of external noise that can impact your decisions. External noise can often come in the form of other’s opinions of what is best for you. Other’s guidance on what they think you should do. And some of this might be extremely helpful and welcomed…but what I’m more talking about is the noise that confuses you. That takes you off of your path. That makes you think…”am I doing this wrong?” Sometimes this is a helpful thought, it can help us change direction that’s actually helpful. But, this isn’t what I’m talking about in this post…I’m referring more about the fuzziness this can create in you. The indecision it can result in.

That’s the noise I’m referring to.

And that’s where quieting the external noise to get back to what matters to you is so important.

When It Comes To Your Private Practice Building

You can create the private practice that you want. You can!

It might take time to build but you can start to take the steps needed now. Whatever those steps are. If it’s looking for office space, building an online presence, networking, finding a supervisor, etc. Take one action toward making your dreams a reality. Take that one step today.

Maybe that one step is vision planning. Maybe you’re in creation mode and are brainstorming what you want. Take that step. Start that vision planning. Create your goals. Maybe think about creating flexible quarterly goals that can help keep you on the path you envision. If you need help with this, I can help you, just reach out and we can work together through coaching calls to get you started.

Clearing Out the Noise and Connecting With Your Inner Voice

Some ideas on how to quiet the noise…

If you like being out in nature, go on a walk. Or, sit at a park. Go outside and be with yourself. Take in the surroundings and use this time to connect inward. Quiet the chatter thoughts and try to stay present in the moment. I find that the more present we are, the more creative we can be!
I also find that exercising is another way to connect to my inner voice. I find that it helps me clear out the external clutter and helps me reconnect to me. For me this is usually when I’m on a run…but for you it might be something different. Whatever it is, this could be one way to reconnect to yourself.
Meditate. Take some quiet time to breath. You don’t have to be an expert meditator, what I mean more is just take some time to breath and focus on that breathing to calm and relax our mind and body. It can be a walking meditation. Or one where you are sitting. Where you are allowing yourself to be present with your breath and allowing your mind and body to relax.

Coaching If You’d Like Help With This

Please let me know if you’d like support and help with this…and also let me know if you’d like more blog articles on this or other topics.

July 14, 2019 by Anna 1 Comment

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome Impacts Us All

Imposter syndrome…we all have it. Please know that! It’s just another fear based thought that pops up and can paralyze us into non-action. But, the main question is…do you believe it?

Since imposter syndrome is universal…we all have some version of it…some version of, “I can’t do that until I get x, y, z training. I can’t do that because_____.” However this part of you speaks to you, the main question is…do you listen, and do you believe it?

What I’d like you to consider is that you don’t have to believe it! Imposter syndrome is common and it usually shows up when we are stretching ourselves. When we are doing something new. When we are following our dreams…there’s an interconnectedness in it, meaning, you’re not alone. And knowing this, my hope is that it helps take the immobilizing fear of action out of it.

It’s just a part. It’s not all of you!

When you stop and think about it, this part is there because you do care so much. You do want to do a great job and serve your clients and family the best you can.

This part isn’t to be feared, what’s needed is to understand it better. And that it’s not you. It’s just a part of you. It’s a thought that a part of you is believing. And that part that believes it needs understanding and nurturing so that it doesn’t run the show and lead you into inaction.

Action Steps When Imposter Syndrome Pops Up

Recognize it’s just a part of you. It’s a thought that pops up that a part of you believes.
See if you can identify and become curious about this part of you. Why is it there? What does it want you to know? What are it’s fears? Chances are this part really needs to be heard by you so by turning inward and toward this part, you can start to become curious and learn more about why it’s there. This will also help create some distance between you and this part of you. Helping you to see that it’s not all of you that believes this, it’s a part of you. An aspect of you. One side of you. You are more than this part and more than this thought.
Take an action. Take one small action whether that’s starting one small task, writing down goals or ideas, sending an email, writing copy for your website, cleaning out your bedroom closet, whatever it is…take one action step even if your imposter syndrome part is making you feel paralyzed, after doing the above two action steps…do this 3rd one also.
Keep reminding yourself, whether you write yourself notes and put them where you can see them often, or you say it quietly to yourself, that you are taking steps toward having the life you dream of. Remember your WHY. Why are you doing this? What’s your purpose. And have that as your focus to help ground you when you need to connect back to it.

Coaching Help

I’d love to help you if you’re needing help. Reach out today to learn more about how we can work together. Coaching is such a wonderful way to help build accountability and also to have someone there to help along the way toward building the life you dream of.

June 12, 2019 by Anna

Fear

Hi!

I am so excited to be launching this site and getting to know you…I have dedicated this site to all things self care. To help fellow therapists, mamas, and anyone wanting change in their life!

I will be launching a podcast but until I get all of that set up…(and teach myself how to do it!) I wanted to reach out sooner rather than later, so I thought I’d start out blogging.

I wanted to talk about FEAR! This topic is a biggie for me and can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For me, fear shows up a lot. And it usually surprises me when it does because it doesn’t always look the same. And wouldn’t ya know…when I don’t think it’s there…yep, it’s there.

When I first started my therapy private practice, it definitely showed up. It usually showed up in the most interesting ways. Maybe because at first, I didn’t think I had any fear around starting a practice. But then, surprise! Guess what would happen…

The phone would ring!

And wouldn’t ya know…all kinds of fear showed up. It showed up in my body. In my thoughts. Yep, it was definitely there and definitely a part of me.

And as I’m writing this right now, I’m thinking back on when I started creating all of my business systems and yep, it would creep in then too. Mostly in the form of “What Ifs…” Ah…those can definitely take ya down a road! Good news is…you’re in the driver seat! You can still do it with fear joining in on the ride. Good news is, fear isn’t running the show (or driving the car if you like this metaphor!) You are the one in control. You’re the one driving. Taking one step. You’re the one that “just keeps swimming” to borrow a phrase from one of my favorite movies – Finding Nemo!

That’s brave and courageous! In fact, I think that’s the definition of being brave and courageous!

It’s not the absence of fear but the ability to do it anyway while feeling the fear!

(So BRAVE!)

(So Beautiful!)

(So YOU!)

At that point in my life, I was beginning to turn toward this thing called fear and become aware of all the ways it shows up in me.

What I’ve noticed is that for me…it mostly shows up through body sensations and in my thoughts! Oh boy – those thoughts can definitely get ya. But one thing I’ve found that’s so important in my life to help with out of control thoughts is daily exercise for the mind. For me that means figuring out what nourishes my mind each day. It’s like my mental daily hygiene ritual!

For me it involves putting some intentional thought into what I feed my mind. Some examples of what I mean are:

what support systems do I have that I feel safe confiding in or going to for comfort and support – and knowing where to not go for those things!
What am I feeding my mind and thoughts each day in the way of what stimuli am I taking in.

For me, I like to listen to podcasts that inspire me. That teach me. That ground me. That motivate and encourage me. I do this most days and I can honestly say it’s made a huge difference in my life. Putting your attention and awareness onto what you feed your mind and thoughts each day is so important…

Launching a New Coaching Business

Back to fear..

Wouldn’t ya know…Now that I’m launching my new coaching business – providing self care guidance – (which I’m so thrilled about!)…guess who decided to visit! Yep, my friend FEAR.

This time though, it was a little paralyzing – to tell you the truth. I remember sitting on my bed, confiding in my husband about my dreams, hopes and fears around starting this new business. Then, we started talking about podcasting. And I just FROZE. I knew this was fear because it had a different feel. I can’t really explain it, but I’ll try…

It was more of a head feel…meaning, thoughts were swirling in my head. So much so that I remember sitting on our bed with my head in my hands thinking…what am I doing? I can’t do this? Do I know enough?

That was a hard night…but what I realized was the fear was around making myself bigger not smaller! In a few words…putting myself out there. Being more vulnerable!

Thank goodness my husband is such a loving and compassionate man. He supported and encouraged me through those paralyzing fear thoughts. And, the next day, I woke up and took one small step forward.

One small step forward with believing in myself. One small step forward in launching what I hope can help just one person that’s struggling and looking for support. One small step toward building a community of support and guidance to help you navigate through the hard patches – hand in hand – not alone!

That’s what gave me the courage to take a step (arm and arm with my fear right there next to me). The courage to take a step toward what I hope will be an awesome journey for all of us! An awesome journey toward helping you shine even brighter than you do. To take some time to nurture and care for you!

I hope you enjoy this site and find it helpful.

P.S., I’d love to hear from you…this site is for you so please let me know what you’re needing and wanting to read and or listen to on a podcast episode so I can create content that speaks to you.