I came across this article about undoing negative associations and creating positive changes. It wasn’t about quitting smoking, specifically, but I thought it could still be of interest to us here.
An obviously…uh…”groovy”, urban, white-collar woman wrote this, so I did take the liberty of paring away some of the more flowery “foof”, and I added some masculine suggestions and more economical options. (Not everyone can hire a life coach and treat them to a “get to know me” vacation in the wine regions of California. Geesh!)
I offer this as an article that might spark a new project…or not. As with everything posted here at EX, take what you like and leave the rest.
Three Simple Steps to Change Your Energy
1) Change your personal environment.
If the energy of a past relationship (smoking?) still lingers in your home, causing you agitation or sadness, change things up! Get yourself a brand new comforter, some brightly colored throw pillows, or paint the walls. Bring in fresh flowers, potpourri and scented candles, play a completely new kind of music, watch documentaries, rearrange the furniture, and declutter your living space. Frame and display new photos, or find a new decorative bowl or silk arrangement or even new coasters for the coffee table.
Make a change to your driving environment. Buy a hilarious comedian’s CD, switch over to jazz or NPR or country music for a day or week, or check out an audio book from the local library. Buy yourself an air freshener, keep a healthy after-work treat in the glove box, maybe get some new colorful seat covers, or find a dangling bauble to hang from the rearview mirror.
At your desk, even something as simple as changing the wallpaper or screensaver on your computer or smartphone can immediately alter your energy.
By changing something as simple as your comforter or desktop background or television viewing area, you create a disconnect that allows your brain to start rewiring your emotions and dissipate any negative energy associated with your old spaces.
2) Change your location.
Maybe instead of heading straight home after work, you stop off at the gym, a coffee shop, a friend’s house, or a local park. Instead of shopping at the same grocery store, mix it up and hit a different brand name, or just visit another neighborhood’s farmer’s market. And there’s probably a new restaurant around that you’ve been meaning to try.
By physically changing your location, you open your senses up to new experiences, smells, sights and sounds. By changing things up, you create new experiences, meet new people, see new things and, most importantly, get out of your routine!
3) Change your mindset.
If you’re feeling stuck or unhappy, get out there and learn something new. Read a book about cultivating amazing relationships or how to start a new hobby. Take a yoga class or photography workshop, go to a free arts lecture at a local gallery or museum, attend a poetry reading or open mike night at a college pub, or join a political discussion group.
Simple mindset shifts such as positive thinking, compassion, creative expression, and taking personal responsibility are all actions toward learning a new way to view, process and work through social situations, and expand personal comfort zones. This is about creating the space and opportunity for new ideas and growth.
