Jadzia Brown

Picture This…

A burnt-out writer, still feeling the cold sting of a recent breakup, having to move back to the hometown she thought she’d never return to. The thing people don’t tell you about moving back home is that you’re also moving back into the head space of who you were when you lived there. In this case, it’s Jadzia from 3 years ago.

Now, whilst I do have a lot of love for past me, she still had a long way to go. I’ve made a whole lot of emotional and mental progress since then. However, spending my time in the same place she was surrounded by the same people who knew her makes me feel dangerously close to slipping back into that frame of mind. So, what am I doing to ensure this doesn’t happen?

Changing things up!

Yes, change is scary. But who said change has to be big? Even the tiniest changes to your routine can vastly improve your life. I’m just at the start of my journey to self-improvement, so here are the small things I’ve been doing everyday to improve my mindset.

3 Small Changes With BIG Effects

Starting The Morning Right

Do you find yourself waking up and immediately checking your socials? I certainly did. In reality, this isn’t the healthiest way to start the day. It’s like getting up and having a big bar of chocolate for breakfast. It’s junk food for your mind.

I’ve recently started to listen to 5 minute guided meditations. As soon as I wake up, I throw in my Airpods and put one on. I currently listen to a lovely girl on YouTube called Lavendaire.

I never knew how much of an impact my morning had on the rest of my day. Starting it off with a refreshed mind and a positive attitude really boosted my productivity. I even found myself eager to get my hands on the keyboard and write something!

Positive Affirmations

You may have heard about these before but the basic premise is that your thoughts actually have a huge impact on your life and well-being! I mean, it makes sense doesn’t it? Have you ever been thinking to yourself ugh I’m having such a horrible day and suddenly you seem to notice all the small things that are going wrong?

Choosing to reform your thoughts into more positive ones can absolutely improve how you view the world. In fact, this has been one of the most influential changes I’ve made lately. I spend 5 minutes every morning reciting some of my most needed affirmations and then throwing a few out there all throughout the day.

A few of my favourites at the moment are:

I attract love based on mutual respect and communication.

I am enough.

I know I can achieve anything I want in life.

I am receiving love in abundance from everyone I meet.

One app that I’ve found is super helpful for affirmations is called I Am. It has a lovely collection of affirmations based on what you need to hear most. One of my favourite features of the app is the widget you can place on your home screen. It switches through different affirmations throughout the day and it’s a great way to subconsciously see and read these positive messages every time you open your phone.

It’s actually kinda crazy how I’ve noticed my attitude shifting since I’ve started using these affirmations daily. My outlook on life and daily events has become increasingly more positive, not to mention my own sense of value and self-respect!

Fresh Air

This is such a simple thing but genuinely so impactful. As creatures of the Earth, we’re not meant to be inside 24/7. Even just 15-30 minutes of fresh air can have such wonderful benefits on your mental health. Get outside, feel the wind on your skin and feel the sun on your face!

I make sure to get myself up and out every single day. I go to the gym in the mornings as it gives me a sense of routine and I love how I feel after I exercise. I’ve also recently taken up barefoot hiking! Yep, that’s right, wandering around with no shoes. It does seem crazy at first, but it makes me feel so connected to the Earth. I went for a very long wander around the local forest and, despite it being a bit chilly, managed to hike the entire trail with no shoes. Our feet are so adaptive, getting around with them felt intuitive. Despite some rather random and dodgy terrains, I finished the trail with zero cuts or splinters and am absolutely excited to do it again!

So, whilst barefoot hikes may not be your thing, I would definitely recommend getting outside for a little bit and just enjoying the breeze.

Change Starts With You

If you’re anything like me, you may find yourself sitting around and waiting for change to come. In reality, it’s up to you. You have the power to influence the world around you in any way you like, so why not make it a positive one?

The mind is truly the most powerful thing in this world. You are fully capable of creating the life you desire most. Don’t underestimate the power of small thoughts and brief actions. Even if you’re taking baby steps, you’re still going forward and that’s better than standing still.

So, what change would you like to make in your life?