Girl, what did we do before Rachel Hollis? I love how this lady is changing all the things. Her open and honest communication about her history, family, marriage, and company is just amazing. I know she’s an inspiration to many of us and I’m so thankful she’s taking the time to help bring up so many people with her. Whether you’re a physical book reader, audible or pod cast listener- Rachel’s got you covered. Her content and message is available so many places.

I was introduced to Rachel Hollis a couple years ago and she’s just so gosh darn empowering- I love it. Girl, Wash Your Face goes through and explains the top lies she believed (which I’m guessing you may be believing or have believed also). These lies hindered her value and self worth. She then provides the strategies she used to work past these lies to live the life she currently wants and deserves.

Which got me thinking about the “lies” I’ve believed throughout my life. These aren’t meant to be lies or meant to bring us down but they’re someone else’s opinion/ perspective/ reality that we take on for ourselves. However, once you start working on your mindset, you realize you can change the way you think about these lies and how you react to situations and events. Like the saying, “you can’t change other people, you can only change yourself.” I’m pretty sure I hated hearing this growing up (and honestly, even some days recently!), but when you start to fully engage your mindset, perspective, and actions to focus fully on yourself, it’s amazing how things start to shift around you. It’s not immediate, all at once, or completely consistent. But just know, one small shift at a time will create a movement all around you. Please envision a very small pebble being dropped into a still body of water and observe the ripple effect!

I find starting my day with intention is a great first step. Anticipate a wonderful day ahead of you, even if your schedule is not your ideal day. Something which has immensely helped me do this is a practice of appreciation. Appreciation and Gratitude seem to be hot topics lately, and for good reason, the benefits appreciate and gratitude have on the mind, body, and spirit are amazing! It can be weird at first and you may “run out of things to be thankful for” but that’s just because you’re just starting this practice.

-> Give yourself some grace and just think, say, or write whatever comes to your mind.

-> I usually start out pretty general with thanking God (universe, high power, or energetic frequencies) for myself (mind, body, spirit, education, experiences), my family and friends (even better to list them individually and go into what you’re thankful for them about), work (physical building, people I work with, the work we’re doing, the people we’re serving), etc.

-> See how specific and detailed you can get. Even thanking God for the perfect amount of raspberry flavoring in your dark chocolate mocha latte.

-> Continue for as long as you can, but don’t worry if it takes a little while for things to come quickly for you.

-> Notice the immediate increase of peace, contentment, and positivity you feel towards yourself, your life, and your surroundings.

-> Unfortunately, there’s no way to know how long these feelings will last. But know you can start with another round of appreciation any time, any place. And the more you do it, the quicker you’ll think to do this, the easier it gets, and the longer the effects will last.

Remember, life is a journey, not a destination.

I do also want to say, sometimes life just sucks. And you need to feel the sucky part of it. There’s great benefit in being in the emotion, whatever it may be, and allowing it. So please be sure to give yourself some grace to allow what you’re feeling, allow yourself to process it however you may need (being that it’s legal and moral of course :)), and trust that you will move forward when it’s the right time. But having a gratitude practice can definitely help with that transition.

What are some “lies” you’ve allowed yourself to believe? How can you go about changing the reality of those lies? Reflect, journal, or talk about it with a loved one. See if you can help each other eliminate those lies and live the life you want and deserve, unhindered.

I’m so thankful for Rachel Hollis, her mission, and the way she’s impacting the world.

Photo Credit: Amanda Sengbusch