Would you say that to 2 year old?

I'm so glad you're here! How are you? How are you, really??

There have been lots of conversations / posts / messages this week around #mentalhealthawareness - have you noticed??

How do you manage your mindset (along with everything else on your plate?). ?

I'm not a doctor or a medic - but do often feel I'm spinning right round (baby right round) with all the real-life stuff on my plate.

Sometimes it's lots of fun but if it's OK with you, shall we move in just a little bit closer? (If you smiled at that you'll love the PS!!)

My daily work with The Enneagram explores whole-person wellbeing: mind, body & heart ?- and?I'm going to share the surprisingly positive impact on my mindset from doing this One Simple Thing every day…

Everyone has stuff. I know I'm not alone in having had some very low times - but I'm pretty resilient so can usually count my blessings, look for the joy and bounce back. It's no coincidence?my instagram name includes 'silver linings' .?BUT there's a huge difference between Toxic Positivity and Positive Self-Talk. ?

Big topics with a very small summary here, but my take is…

Toxic Positivity

• If it's raining and you're miserable about being cold and wet, declaring that it's a beautiful day & the sun is shining is not a fabulous reframe. It's denial, avoidance and although the imagination is powerful, it doesn't actually warm you up and dry you off.

Positive Self-Talk

• Our ears are the first ears that hear our words (even / especially if they are in our own head). So, what if we can still be cold and wet … but look for that spark of hope? A stepping stone to get us where we're beginning to feel cosy again?
• Today I wasn't happy to be cold & wet but: 1 - I reminded myself that someone somewhere will be happy to see the rain. 2 - I realised the veggies I planted at the weekend will love the rain. 3 - the rain will actually save me time filling up the watering cans (our hose is broken!) to water the plants
• By focusing forward on something positive, it doesn't change the reality (it's still raining!) but it also doesn't drag me down into a spiral of gloom. And I live in hope that the sun will come out tomorrow!

I keep the photo I shared above on my dressing table?

That's it. It's me aged 2. (The open-mouthed smile is not a new thing I invented for selfies!) If I notice those self-deprecating, beat-myself-up, I'm-not-good-enough thoughts creeping in, I look at that picture and ask myself:

“Would you say that to 2 year old you?”

Because if it's unkind or unnecessary?and you wouldn't say it to the child who is?still a part of you, don't say it to yourself today.?

We are the sum of all the ages we've ever been … sometimes it helps to go back, say hi to the version of us who needed a message of hope or joy and send them a little light.

I invite you to speak kindly to yourself.

DM me & let me know one lovely thing you told 2-year old today. If you're finding that hard, DEFINITELY DM me and I'll tell you something wonderful about you!?

Have a fab week. Even if it's raining…

Love,

Joanne

And even if you're about to call me out because you're thinking “but Joanne, that was Dead or Alive not Dr & The Medics?” - I know that … but they did a cover, OK??? And neither 2 year old me OR teenage me would care, they'd just be laughing & singing along!

"All I know is that to me You look like you're lots of fun Open up your lovin' arms Watch out, here I come…"

… and if you know someone else who'd enjoy a Midweek MoJo boost … do share on?this article, would love to connect!