What is following you?

Whatever comes after “I AM…” is going to follow you around.

I’ve been followed by some big scary monsters, as well as some insidious little devils but rarely (which means never) have I been consistently followed by something like “I AM a bright, shiny person who has a lot to contribute”. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if THAT’S what was following us around?!

photo love: Unsplash @iamfelicia

Taking a look at what follows your “I AM…” is worthwhile because it’s a snapshot of what’s going on in your life. It’s like a roadmap pointing you in the direction you’re going which allows you to ask yourself if it’s the right way?

Tired, exhausted, or overwhelmed followed my I AM for decades. I just couldn’t shake it. The statement “I am so tired” ruled my life. I could see it, feel it, hear it. It’s been a struggle to get out from underneath it. I’d say it took ten years of really hard work to stop the tired from following me around and I believe that in another year or so it won’t be part of my psyche at all.

Does this mean I’ll no longer get worn out? Highly. Unlikely. But if that narrative is not front of mind it, naturally, will play a much smaller role in my life.

What we think about gains momentum in our actions and outcomes. It takes up real estate in the fleeting moments of our one precious life. But often it’s really hard to shake - even when we are fully aware that it is there.

Here are my thoughts on what follows our ‘I AM’:

1.      Pay attention. Take note and look that thing in the eye to question the absolute truth of it. Five kazillion times a day.

2.      Act. Figure out what you need to do to create change.

A few things I did for this particular issue were to quit drinking alcohol, talk to my Doctor to look for underlying issues, exercise, honor myself when I am truly tired, watch my mental language around my energy and get into the cold water. While this may sound easy remember it took about ten years. I still have a lot of work to do on this because completely cutting out sugar will get the tired right out of my life which is a work in progress.

3.      Reflect. Take the time to look at how far you’ve come. Maybe what follows your I AM is okay for the time being? Perhaps now is not the time to tackle that issue. Be gentle because guilt is a progress killer.

4.      Experiment. Find something new to follow your I AM and remind yourself to say it as much as you can. This is subconscious programming, a highly effective tool, even though it sounds like it comes from a Saturday Night Live skit. Here’s what I’m going with right now… “I AM a highly effective, excellent well-being coach with a practice greater than anything I can currently imagine”. Doesn’t that sound better than I am so tired?!

The message I want to leave you with isn’t how to elevate your energy - that will come in a different newsletter. Rather, the cannonball that’s coming your way is about taking note of what is following your I AM? Whatever it is remember, Darling, that you are NOT that. That is something you are choosing to focus on and therefore it is within your control to shift it! Hopefully you don't have to be on the ten year plan like me:)

xo Donna