I think it's fair to say we are all fed up with lockdown! In fact, that's probably an understatement. So what can we do to prepare for the lifting of lockdown? Many of us have lost a little confidence in ourselves as we have not socially interacted properly for almost a year and many of us are sadly really struggling with our emotions, anxiety or low mood.
The first thing to understand is it's not your fault and you are not alone. It's a normal response to a very abnormal set of events. None of us expected to be in this position and certainly not for so long! We all had to suddenly become creative and try to lift ourselves up by keeping busy, walking or maybe even learning a new skill online. BUT, we are now at the point in this journey where even all those things are no longer working to keep us positive as we have maxed them out!
So when lockdown finally lifts, what is your plan to regain that confidence, that zest for life, that live life feeling? Chances are you haven't given it a thought as up until now it looked like we would bounce in and out of lockdown for ever more.
It seems the vaccination program is changing all that and for the first time in a long time, we really can see light at the end of the tunnel. NOW is the time to start getting back up on both feet and building ourselves back up. I have planned the following to help me get back to where I want to be:
Long beach walk to recharge my soul!
Regular walks in Thetford forest to reconnect with nature and leave old thoughts there.
Dust off my bike and start going for rides to help shift the lockdown belly.
Create a business plan for this new beginning to support myself and my clients in new ways.
Actively and regularly reflect on the past 12 months by re-framing my thoughts/feelings around the pandemic so I don't carry any fears or negative thoughts forward.
That last point is the key to creating a positive outlook and clears the way for positive actions. It levels the field in my mind of any damaging or restrictive patterns of behaviour I may have developed over the year to date. And yes, I'm not immune to these behaviours creeping in. We are all human and all feel the effects of what we have just been through. I have made a point of staying on top of things, however there is always room to improve and regularly do a self check. I should clarify I'm not talking about the sort of self check that requires a cupped hand and a cough! Although you should do that too gentleman (and ladies too!).
My main method for addressing old behaviours or feelings etc, is self hypnosis and the use of a little NLP and Havening techniques. These allow me to quickly stop or redirect such behaviours into better ones that no longer weigh me down or stop me growing. Other great ways are simply talking things out with a trusted friend. Sometimes when we say our feeling out loud, we feel differently about them. You can also meditate or learn it if you've never tried it. Yoga too, is a very powerful way to balance your thoughts and with the added benefit of strengthening your body too. It is one of those things you hear everyone talking about as being good, but for some reason you never give it a go....I say do it! You won't know if you don't try it out.
Whatever you choose to do, keep it simple. There is no need for any complicated stuff....just try a few things out and see what 'feels' right for you. The key thing is to actually do it. You can always book a free consultation and have a chat to see what I may be able to help you with. For those of you who don't know me, I am an advanced clinical Hypnotherapist in Dereham, Norfolk, UK. If you'd like to find out more you can visit my website HERE.
P.S. I am really hopeful that I can re-open on 12th April and start face to face sessions again. I will update regularly on my Facebook page and Instagram so if you haven't already you can follow me by clicking the links below and clicking the LIKE/FOLLOW button:
Keep safe and remember: "Be your own magic"