Voices in my head.....

Is it just me or does everyone have constant inner chatter going on in their minds?

I try and practice meditation when I know I am more likely to experience inner talk. For me it is when I am driving, doing housework and cleaning the dishes.

It might sound strange that I say over and over in my head the word “driving” as I am actually driving but it does work in quietening my mind. Dishwashing is a perfect time to practice mindful meditation – concentrating and focussing purely on what I am doing.

Until I started meditation classes earlier this year I had no idea just how much my mind was overworking! Rethinking conversations I had earlier in the day, thinking about what I need to talk to someone about, criticising myself for having the extra serving at lunch, mentally putting together meals for the week, organising to do lists......it is constant!

The worse kind of self chatter is negative self talk. I’ve recently read a lot about the impact negative self talk has on us, in particular on our behaviours. One article suggested recognising when the chat starts, acknowledging it and then focussing on something else or actively turning the negative self chat into a positive thought.

I have a lot of negative self talk going on in my mind and reducing this is my new challenge, and I am going to be positive about my ability to quieten the voices.

Positivity & Change

I loved this exercise from Kate at Spiritual Business.

Sourced from the Spiritual Business website:
Daily Ritual: 5 August 2009
27 things about you

Write a list of 27 things you would like to change in your life and what you would like to replace them with.

Stress- Peace
Disappointment- Hope
Scarcity- Abundance and so on.

This way you are moving 27 things inside yourself and by the end of the list you will be vibrating at a higher level. Open to possibilities and open to change.


I loved the idea of taking something I perceived as a negative and thinking about how it could become a positive. The glass is half full rather than half empty view on the world really uplifts me and allows me to see what is possible.

Too often I think, we are bombarded by friends, peers, colleagues and the media with negative and depressing information. Drama, bitchiness, crisis and tragedies or near tragedies are part of our daily environment. Too often the good and inspirational stories just don't make it into our conversations or news!

By openly thinking about the things I would like to change about myself gives me a good starting point for that change.

Here are some of my 27 things that I would like to change about me and what I would like to replace them with:

No time - more time to enjoy life
Stress - calm
Clutter - organisation
Frustration - acceptance
Tiredness - endless energy and vitality
Migraine - overall wellness
Sweet tooth - balance and moderation
Sensitive - strength
Emotional - perspective

Noise - serenity

Naughty but nice....

I loved this thought of the day from Rummage. It actually made me laugh out loud!

I am loath to admit that I often hide in the kitchen/pantry snacking on something naughty that I don't want Lucy to see!

I know a few fully grown women who are also guilty of this - my sister has a secret stash of smarties that she hides from not only her children but also her husband! Hilarious!

Light globe moment...

This week I had a momentous light globe moment. At 37 I have been struggling with what I want to be when I grow up. I am not sure when I will feel "grown up" but I guess I will know when I get there, or not. Anyway I digress, coaching and counselling. This is my light globe!

I have been unhappy in my current role for sometime, for lots of reasons, and have been looking rather unsuccessfully for something to inspire me! So rather than applying for any more roles that I will not be happy in I have decided to return to study.

In the last six months I have learnt so much about; myself, health, well being, happiness, joy, the present, relaxation, silence, mindfulness, holistic approaches, alternate philosophies ....the list is endless and I have loved every moment of it.

Having studied psychology at university it isn't a huge stretch to think I would enjoy and be good at counselling/coaching, it has just taken me 17 years to work it out. So I look forward to approaching this next stage of education with zest and hopefully the conscientiousness that I lacked first time round.

Hard work

My sister and I run a small children's wear business. The last 3 years have taught me a lot about hard work, my sister and our relationship and trust.

While not all these lessons have been enjoyable there have been some wonderful moments including travelling to France on a regular basis and seeing the support our family and friends have willingly provided.

Today was one of those nice moments. While my sister has frustrated me with her work ethic of late, today we had a full day of productive and rewarding hard physical work. We managed to remain focussed and achieved all and more of our objectives while enjoying each others company and even having a giggle or two, oh and a nice lunch out!

It is with a great sense of achievement (and sore hands) that I sit down tonight to enjoy a rewarding coffee and relax.

Tomorrow I will think about all the end of financial year stuff I need to get done.

Breathe

I simply loved this blog by Zen Habits . So simple, so effective and I now have have a post it note on my computer at work - everytime I see it I stop and breathe! Invigorating and calming and being totally present in the moment.

Breathe....and enjoy!

Over the last few months I have been applying for new jobs. Looking for part time work is extremely hard and I really wasn’t prepared for the rejection that comes when you are not successful.

Having found something in the paper or online that sparks a bit of interest and ticks most of my boxes I sit down and spend time putting together what I think is a good example of why I would be suitable for the position , only to not hear back (ever) or receive an email telling me that unfortunately on this occasion I have been unsuccessful.

I would like to think that I am worthy of a little more than an email. I would like to think that my application had some sort of impact on the audience and that in itself would warrant at least an interview or call? Who am kidding – what I really want is my perfect job to be handed to me on a platter with the exact salary I want with the exact conditions I want.

I have been working with my lovely personal coach Kate who is helping me to identify my key skills and reinvigorate confidence in my own abilities, that I seem to have lost. Maybe when I rediscover this belief in myself I will start applying for the right jobs and putting together applications that shout why I would be perfect!