Do you ever feel like there is a puzzle piece missing from your life? Or maybe you see your reflection similar to a shattered mirror?

Feeling whole as a person matters because a sense of wholeness contributes to a balanced, happy and meaningful life. Everyone has a right to feel complete. You deserve to feel complete.

In the fast-paced world, a lot of us grapple with a pervasive sense of incompleteness. From the relentless pressure of expectations, to the isolating impact of technology, there are various reasons many of us feel incomplete in the contemporary world.

Let’s explore some of the reasons why this is, and what we can do to feel a greater sense of wholeness.

Understanding what happens when we feel incomplete  

Understanding what makes us feel incomplete will help in addressing and mitigating these feelings. Here are some reasons we might feel in complete and not connected to our authentic sense of self.

Social comparison

Constantly comparing oneself to others can contribute to feelings of inadequacy. Unhealthy social comparisons may erode self-esteem and make it challenging to appreciate one's own unique qualities and contributions. 

External Validation

Relying heavily on external validation, such as seeking approval from others or defining self-worth through achievements, can result in a fragile sense of identity. The absence of external validation may lead to feelings of emptiness and unfulfillment.

Unresolved emotional pain or trauma

Past traumas and unresolved emotional wounds can create internal fractures, hindering the development of a healthy sense of self. Unaddressed trauma may lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.

Lack of self-awareness

When we are not fully aware of what is important to us, or who we are, we can struggle with a sound sense of self. This lack of self-awareness can result in feelings of confusion and disconnection. 

Unrealistic expectations

Are you a perfectionist? Were you raised by parents or a guardian who set high expectations for you? Setting unrealistic expectations for yourself, whether in relationships, career, or personal development, can create a perpetual sense of falling short 😞. The inability to meet these expectations may lead to feelings of failure and inadequacy.

Disconnection from your passions

Ignoring or neglecting activities and pursuits that bring joy and fulfillment can contribute to a lack of wholeness. Disconnecting from one's passions may leave a void that is not easily filled by routine or external achievements.

Fragmentation of identity

The fast-paced and dynamic nature of modern life can contribute to a fragmented sense of identity. Juggling multiple roles and responsibilities may leave individuals feeling disconnected from their authentic selves.

Disconnection from nature

As we become increasingly urbanized and technologically connected rather than connected through family or the traditional market and community gatherings, there is a growing disconnection from nature… and each other.

This separation from the natural world, which has been a source of grounding and balance throughout human history, can contribute to feelings of emptiness.

Isolation and Lack of Community

Despite increased connectivity through technology, some individuals experience a sense of social isolation. The breakdown of traditional communities and a focus on individualism can leave people feeling disconnected and lonely.

Consumerism and Materialism

The emphasis on consumerism and material success as markers of a fulfilling life can lead to a perpetual pursuit of external validation and possessions. These external status markers and ‘things’ bring short term pleasure and do not bring lasting satisfaction, individuals may feel a sense of emptiness.

Overemphasis on achievement

Modern life often prioritises achievement and success, sometimes at the expense of well-being and personal fulfillment. 

The constant pursuit of goals without attention to personal values and intrinsic motivation can contribute to a feeling of hollowness.

Technology overload

Technology has brought huge benefits. Who doesn’t love having the knowledge of the world at our fingertips, video chats, or food arriving at our door in 20 minutes? However, the constant exposure to screens and digital communication can contribute to a sense of disconnection from the present moment and authentic human interactions.

UNWELL Mental Health

Conditions such as depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues can significantly impact the perception of wholeness. These conditions may distort one's self-image and hinder the ability to experience life with a sense of completeness, and the ability to connect with others.

The rewards of nurtureing your sense of wholeness

The pursuit of feeling whole is a crucial aspect of holistic well-being, influencing our mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as our relationships and the overall quality of our lives. It impacts our ability to live a complete life, with fewer regrets and pain.

A life that includes self-care, meaningful relationships, and a connection to one's authentic self can contribute to a sense of wholeness in the midst of modern challenges.

When we feel complete and integrated within ourselves, there is a reduction in internal conflicts and a greater capacity to manage stress. This, in turn, fosters mental resilience and emotional stability.

Addressing feelings of incompleteness in our modern world may involve:

• The reevaluation of your values—what you are prioritising in life

• Nurturing authentic connections

• Practicing mindfulness

• Finding a balance between the demands of contemporary society and personal well-being

• Get professional support—consider alternative therapies (like Self Directed Healing, Kinesiology, or Somatic Healing if you are unsatisfied with traditional ‘talking therapies’ and/or prescription drugs. These methods of healing work with the unconscious mind and healing intelligence of the body—not just the conscious mind. Consult your GP doctor before making any changes or engaging in therapy.

5 reasons to nurture your sense of wholeness

Healthy Relationships

Feeling whole allows us to engage in relationships from a place of strength rather than seeking validation or fulfillment from others. 

This healthier approach to relationships often leads to more satisfying and sustainable connections with others.

Personal fulfillment

When we feel whole, we are more likely to pursue our passions and utilize our unique talents. This contributes to a sense of purpose and accomplishment, fostering personal growth and the realization of our full potential.

Adaptability and resilience

Wholeness provides a solid foundation for adaptability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. It enables us to navigate uncertainties with a greater sense of self-assurance and the flexibility to learn and grow from experiences.

Physical health

There is a well-established connection between mental and physical health. Feeling whole contributes to a positive mindset, which can positively impact physical well-being through stress reduction and the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices.

Meaning and direction

A sense of wholeness often comes with clarity about one's values, goals, and purpose in life. This clarity provides a roadmap for meaningful living, offering direction and guiding decisions toward a fulfilling and purpose-driven existence.

How to feel complete. Tips for living authenticity 

Addressing feelings of incompleteness often involves a combination of self-reflection, therapy, coaching and intentional efforts to build a strong sense of self. 

Embracing self-compassion, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals can be valuable steps toward cultivating a more holistic and fulfilling sense of identity and well-being.

Here’s an idea. Choose one of the tips below to focus on in the next few weeks and see what happens. Check in with how you are feeling.

1. Connection: Whether through meaningful relationships or shared experiences, the tapestry of life gains richness when woven with threads of genuine connection.

   Reach out to someone that lifts you up and fills your energetic cup. Have a chat or do something together. Let them know you appreciate them.

2. Creativity:  Just as the vibrant palette of an artist, adds hues to our existence, engaging in creative pursuits, like art, music, or any form of self-expression, allows us to tap into a wellspring of vitality!

   Get creative, set a creative goal and experience a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Life coaches (like Authentic State Coaching) are a perfect match for helping you set, break through blocks and keep accountable to realistic goals. 
   

3. Courage: Embracing challenges and overcoming fears opens new dimensions, contributing to a deep sense of self-empowerment and resilience.

   What have you been putting off? Propel yourself beyond your comfort zone--get support to move forward if you need it. 
   

4. Clarity: Understanding our values, passions, and purpose provides a compass for navigating the complexities, offering a steadying force amidst the uncertainties. Why not reach out to a life coach for a guiding light through life's labyrinth, so you can have a clear sense of direction. 
   

5. Nature: Immersing ourselves in the natural world fosters a profound connection to something greater. It grounds s in the present. The natural world is healing and giving.
   
   Where can you take yourself to connect with nature? Take yourself to a park, a forest, a garden, a body of water and let yourself connect to nature, the way you might if you were just vibing with a friend or partner. Listen and watch. Notice the small things. Check in with your feelings.

Collectively, these threads of connection, creativity, courage, clarity, and the soothing embrace of nature can create a harmonious symphony that is you.

Get in touch if you’d like a hand to move forward with greater wholeness or authenticity.

Sasha x

Remember, no one can do you better than you. Learning to trust your intuition - notes from a life coach

Intuition is your very own wellspring of inspiration, guidance, creativity and innovation. 

 In a noisy world where conformity often overshadows individual expression, intuitive thinking can lead to groundbreaking ideas and originality.

Living in a world of  ‘should’s’ and comparisons to others, the ability to tap into your intuition becomes a lifeline for a happy life. It encourages you to trust your unique perspectives and contribute authentically to your life and the world around you.

Nine reasons why intuition is crucial in a noisy world

1. Authentic decision-making

Amidst the noise of external influences, intuition serves as an internal compass, guiding you towards decisions that align with your authentic self. Your intuitioin helps cut through the external clutter and make choices that resonate with your core values and desires.

2. Resilience in the face of uncertainty

In a world where change is constant and uncertainty is inevitable, intuition provides a source of inner stability. People who trust their instincts are often more resilient in the face of challenges. They can adapt to changing circumstances with a sense of confidence grounded in their authentic understanding of self.

3. Personal fulfillment and well-being

Living authentically is closely linked to personal fulfillment and well-being. When you honor your inner truth and follow your path aligned with your values, it contributes to a profound sense of satisfaction. Intuition plays a key role in this process by guiding choices that lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

4. Navigating complexity with simplicity

The noise of the world often brings complexity, but intuition has a way of simplifying things. It cuts through the unnecessary layers, helping you focus on what truly matters. This simplicity is invaluable in decision-making, problem-solving, and maintaining a sense of clarity in the midst of chaos.

5. Building authentic connections

Authentic relationships thrive on genuine connections. Intuition aids you in recognizing the authenticity in others and in yourself. It fosters empathy, deepens connections, and allows for more meaningful interactions in a world that sometimes values surface-level connections over genuine bonds. 

6. Enhancing creativity and innovation

In the cacophony of daily life, it's easy to lose touch with our innermost feelings and desires. A life coach or therapist, through thoughtful questioning and active listening, helps individuals delve into their inner world, unlocking layers of self-awareness.

7. Creating clarity amidst noise

In a world bombarded with information, opinions, and societal expectations, developing intuition is a necessary beacon of clarity. Your life coach can support you in cutting through the noise, helping you discern your own voices from the external chatter. 

We facilitate conversations that explore your values, passions, and goals. As your coach we can assist in shaping a clear understanding of what truly matters to you, then help you to set micro-goals--with accountability and habit changing tools. 

8. Unraveling limiting beliefs

Often, intuitive insights are clouded by limiting beliefs acquired over time. A life coach can be a skilled navigator through the maze of self-doubt, gently unraveling these beliefs. 

Through introspective dialogue and targeted exercises, you gain awareness of thought patterns that might hinder authentic living. As your coach, we support the process of reframing perspectives, paving the way for a more intuitive and empowering mindset.

9. Building trust in your inner wisdom

One of the primary functions of a life coach is to encourage your trust in your inner wisdom. Too many people, amidst the noise of external expectations, tend to overlook or dismiss their intuitive nudges. 

How a coach will support you to trust your intuition

A coach cultivates an environment where you can feel and encouraged to acknowledge and trust your healthy ‘instincts’. This process involves celebrating instances where intuition has guided positive outcomes, reinforcing the belief in one's innate wisdom.

1. Aligning actions with values

Living authentically is synonymous with aligning actions with core values. 

A life coach collaborates with you to identify and articulate these values. By exploring how daily choices and behaviors align with these values, clients gain clarity on areas where adjustments can be made. This alignment fosters a sense of congruence, where actions reflect the true essence of the individual.

2. Mindfulness practices for intuitive awareness

Therapeutic approaches often incorporate mindfulness practices to enhance intuitive awareness. Whether through meditation, mindful breathing, or other techniques, therapists and coaches can guide you in being present with your thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness facilitates a deeper connection with your inner truth, allowing for a more conscious and intentional approach to decision-making and living.

3. Emotional exploration and expression

Therapists and coaches create spaces where you can explore and express your emotions freely. 

Intuition often surfaces through feelings, and by navigating the landscape of emotions, therapists help clients decode the messages within. This emotional exploration contributes to a more nuanced understanding of oneself and fosters authenticity in emotional expression.

4. Overcoming fear of judgment

The fear of judgment can be a significant barrier to living authentically. A life coach or therapist provides a non-judgmental space where you can freely express your thoughts and desires without fear of condemnation. This acceptance is a crucial element in helping people break free from societal expectations and live in harmony with their inner truth.

5. Goal setting aligned with authentic desires

None of us want to fall victim to living a life half lived. Coaches guide individuals in setting goals that align with their authentic desires rather than external expectations. By breaking down aspirations into actionable steps, clients are empowered to pursue paths that resonate with their inner truth. The goal-setting process becomes a reflection of personal values and contributes to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Is your intuition calling for a life coach or therapist?

In the bustling symphony of life, a life coach or therapist becomes a valuable conductor, helping you tune into the melody of your own intuition.

Through thoughtful questioning, empathetic listening, and skillful guidance, we empower you to rediscover your authentic self. 

Developing your intuition can be a transformative journey—one that leads to a deeper understanding of your values, passions, and purpose in the midst of life's cacophony.

Do you want to increase your trust of your intuition? Get in touch.

Be honest. Have you ever thought: “This feels wrong”?  Or, “I wish I could start.” Or, “If only I could stop?”.

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I change my life?” or even, “How can I change the world?”.

You're not alone. We all have wants and needs. And some of us have inspirational dreams that pull at the heart and tug at the mind.

The truth is, there is always something you want to move towards, and something that you want to move away from. That’s part of being human. That’s how we are designed.

Change is a necessary part of life here on earth

Life is always changing and evolving. Take a look at your front garden, your news feed or in the mirror. Change can be slow, but it is everywhere. 

At a human level, the need for change emerges from your need to live a more fulfilling existence. Change, though sometimes challenging, can be a pathway towards your heart's desire and deepest wishes. 

Change offers the promise of greater happiness, contentment, success and a more authentic life. Change forces us to adapt, to learn, and to expand our horizons. It invites us to shed the burdens of the past and embrace new opportunities and perspectives.

Choose to do things differently. Choose to be different. 

The first step to change is getting honest with yourself. When we cut through all the noise and expectations of life, we hear our own truth--this is the beginnings of living a life fully lived.

This means checking into how you really feel, your deeper truth, not just what you like, or what feels good at the moment. It means being willing to be open to something different than you've always done, or your parents or mates think is right or 'normal'.

Change asks us to see things as they really are… it means admitting you may be on the wrong track, or have hurt yourself or others. It means being vulnerable in admitting to yourself (and maybe someone else) that today, you choose to do things differently. 

Yes, change can be uncomfortable. But the cost of not changing and evolving when life asks you to, or when you are stuck or hurting, can be more painful… sometimes with serious consequences. 

Psychologist say…

Psychologists have written broadly about the topic of self-deception. It's hard-wired into us. Self-deception can be a survival mechanism, but it can keep us stagnant. Living in denial can be a comfortable refuge. Most of us are well practised at self-deception. 

It shields us from the discomfort of acknowledging our flaws and the need for change. Not only that, but it protects the 'precious' ego that keeps us fed and housed.

However, it is in honest self-reflection that our most profound transformations take root. 

The truth is self-deception might feel comfortable, but it is not your friend

Self-deception can be a comfortable refuge, shielding us from the discomfort of acknowledging our flaws and the need for change. However, it is in these honest self-reflections that our most profound transformations take root.

The courage to listen deeply

Often the difficult part about being honest without ourselves is having the courage to deeply listen to ourselves, or giving yourself the time and space to connect with your most authentic state. 

Coaches are great at holding space and asking gentle, though direct questions to get to the root of what’s really going on inside you. We can support personal navigation and accountability towards positive change and a life fully lived. 

It is essential to recognise that embracing change is not merely a choice; it is a fundamental to honouring who we are. It is fundamental if you want to live out your purpose or calling.

All things change. Either with or without your influence or control.

The truth is that when we resist change, you still change. But instead of taking steps towards your truth, towards a life of less pain and more contentment, the resistance creates tension, stress, worry, and regret. Like a bird flying upwind, or fish swimming upstream, energy is wasted.

Change is the bridge that connects who we are to who we can become.

Nuff said? Authentic State Coaching supports people who want or need change in their lives. Get in touch.

Sasha x

What is ‘isness’? In simple terms, ‘isness’ is existence.

At the heart of isness is the art of living in the present moment. Living in the ‘now’ is one of the secrets to living authentically.

Are you living your life or thinking your life?

Alan Watts, the philosopher, writer and entertainer known for his interpretation of Eastern philosophy, said,

Watts reminds us to think less and embrace this reality as a unique experience. Because life is an experience, not just a concept and something to think your way through. Right?

Are you taking time to savour precious moments? Are you absorbing your experience with all your senses—seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, resonating? Or are you thinking your way though life? Do you think that you think too much?

Less resistance means less stress

Spiritual leader, Eckhart Tolle, known for his teachings on mindfulness and presence, emphasises the transformative power of embracing "now." Tolle is quoted to have said,

With acceptance we experience contentment. You can’t argue with what is. Well, you can, but if you do, Tolle says you will experience an emotional/mental suffering.

Acceptance doesn’t mean, you can’t accept things as they are without wanting something different. We can accept the now and want something different for our future—the ‘contrast’ can be a force of motivation. The key is to balance experiencing the very moment you are in with acceptance, as it is, with a sense of allowing, without an inner turmoil of thinking things should be different at that moment. …Get it?

Tolle reminds us to accept life as it is, and to accept our feelings as they arise, which is sometimes easier said than done.

Feeling emotion is a natural and healthy thing to do

Many of us are not taught that it’s not ok to feel our feelings. But the truth is when we do allow ourselves to feel our emotions, they can pass through us like a natural wave of energy, rather than bottle up inside us like a pressure valve, exploding uncontrolled any moment.

Get in touch Authentic State Coaching if you would like to learn how to safely feel and move through your emotions.

The isness of being your authentic self

Living an authentic life is inseparable from the concept of isness. When you fully embrace your genuine self and honour your unique journey, then you're swimming in the lush. calm sea of isness.

Isness is about accepting all your quirks, your talents, and your flaws with open, accepting and forgiving arms.

Acceptance is key. Acceptance of what is, and who and where you are. In knowing who we are, we need to get honest with ourselves.

In the words of spiritual teacher Ram Dass,

Here we are reminded to take time to be still, to be able to hear our truth. Our bodies and spirit speak to us, not only our mind. Agree?

Wayne Dyer, the self-help author and motivational speaker, said

I believe that this is our most authentic state—when we are present and alert to the moment, rather than anxious about the future, or weighed down from the past.  In these moments, we are most switched on to our personal power.

The problem can be that most of us struggle to be present in the moment. This is because we carry the baggage or learnt or inherited pains and hurts of the past. Also, many of us haven't learned how to quieten the wild, looping mind or how to calm the restless, needy body. 

Without doing the work and learning to honour our feelings, calm the mind, shift past hurts and be still amongst the chaos, then living in the moment can be a struggle or not ever experiencing in a lifetime.

Success and isness

Mind-body healer and author, Deepak Chopra, might agree that the path to success is paved with isness. 

Chopra said,

In other words, let go, and life unfolds. Again, easier said than done right? Letting go takes tools, and practice, and often therapy or coaching. I’m a firm believer in we all must find the right path and support for ourselves. Life is not one size fits all.

Isness and the arts

The arts embrace living in the moment, with isness playing a vibrant and essential role in the life of the artist. 

Imagine chatting with Pablo Picasso, sipping on espresso in an avant-garde café in Barcelona or Paris. He'd remind you that isness is the vibrant core of artistic success.

Picasso said

Picasso knew the value of living in the moment, just as children do. He embraced the spontaneity and curiosity of a child—this is where magic and truth can be found.

In the grand tapestry of life, isness is the vibrant thread that weaves success and authenticity together.  Spiritual leaders and art masters remind us that the key to success isn't a distant treasure to chase; it's a joyful embrace of the present moment. 

So, let's raise our cups to the isness, for it's in this very moment that the canvas of success and authenticity is painted, one stroke at a time. 

Sasha x

If something here resonates, you don’t have to make sense of it on your own. → Explore working together

Sasha at Authentic State Coaching works with individuals across the world online via Zoom. Authentic State is based on the Central Coast, NSW north of Sydney, Australia.

Honesty is like the Renaissance period of art—it's an era of enlightenment and transformation. 

Just like the artistic and intellectual rebirth that swept through Europe centuries ago, we're entering an era where honesty and authenticity reign supreme.

We are increasingly valuing honesty in business, culture, and relationships—including the relationship we have with ourselves, our mental health and wellbeing.

But we are living in a paradoxical world, full of contradiction and irony. 

We value transparency and truthfulness, however, with the rise of new technology, AI and social media we live in an increasingly hyperreal (fake) world. Life often focuses on surface appearances, packed with illusions on what is real, true and substantial.

As we move into the depths of the 21st century, it’s important to do the work to keep grounded and be honest with ourselves amongst all the changes.

With honesty brings change in the world, and with ourselves. 

It's crucial to remember that being honest with oneself is the starting point for transformation.

Recognising your strengths, weaknesses and priorities is like choosing the right colours for your canvas—it sets the tone for the entire artwork.

Being honest with others is like a mirror—reflecting your values and beliefs. Values and beliefs underpin everything in your life. From the reason you are where you are surrounded with the people and things you have, to why you experience conflict, and more. A good life coach (like Authentic State Coaching) can help you unpack your life and values. They can support you to get clear on your life values, and help you take steps to ensure your life is aligned to the things that you believe are important in this short and precious life of yours.

We are witnessing the rise of a new type of leader in our workplaces, businesses and culture. Our new visionary leaders are rejecting old ways of communicating and keeping it real.

Let's draw inspiration from some visionary entrepreneurs who have harnessed the power of honesty and authenticity.

1. Steve Jobs: The authentic innovator

The co-founder of Apple Inc. was renowned for his unwavering commitment to honesty in product design.

Jobs was unapologetically honest about his belief that great design should be simple and beautiful. This honesty with himself and his vision led to iconic products that changed the world.

2. Jessica Alba: The honest businesswoman

Actress Jessica Alba didn't just play the role of a businesswoman; she became one. With The Honest Company, she's on a mission to provide safe, eco-friendly products for families.

Her dedication to transparency and ethical business practices is a testament to her commitment to making the world a better place.

3. Simon Sinek: The why guy

Simon Sinek, famous for his "Start with Why" philosophy, emphasises the importance of honesty in business. He encourages leaders to be authentic and transparent about their purpose and values.

Sinek believes that when leaders are honest about why they do what they do, it inspires both their teams and customers, leading to sustainable success.

4. Brené Brown: The vulnerability advocate

Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and speaker, has made vulnerability her superpower. Her candid exploration of shame, vulnerability, and courage has transformed the way people connect, both personally and in business.

Brown's work is a testament to the transformative power of honesty and authenticity.

5. Warren Buffett: The honest investor

Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, is known for his honest self-assessment. He doesn't invest in businesses he doesn't understand, and he's candid about his investment strategy.

His honesty with himself has led to a lifetime of remarkable financial success.

6. Richard Branson: The maverick entrepreneur

Richard Branson, the maverick behind the Virgin Group, is synonymous with adventure and authenticity. He's honest about his love for risk-taking and his knack for turning ideas into thriving businesses.

Branson's life is a testament to the liberating power of embracing your true self and living life to the fullest

7. Sara Blakely: The honest businesswoman

Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, is candid about the struggles and setbacks she faced while building her empire. Her honesty about her journey has made her a relatable figure in the world of entrepreneurship.

Blakely's authenticity and humour shine through as she inspires others to embrace their imperfections and pursue their truth.

8. Anthony Bourdain: The rock 'n' roll chef

Anthony Bourdain taught us that food is more than just sustenance; it's a cultural adventure. With his laid-back charm and a knack for storytelling, Bourdain was brutally honest about the grit and glory of the restaurant industry.

His authenticity was his secret sauce, inspiring us to savour life's unfiltered flavours.

What can we learn from these trailblazers who embrace honesty and authenticity? 

• Be true to your ideas, even if they challenge the status quo. Honesty gives life to bold ideas, ignites innovation, and fosters deep connections.

• When we are transparent about our values and vulnerabilities, it fosters connection and encourages transformation.

• Recognising your strengths and weaknesses allows you to make wise choices and thrive.

• Honesty in life, is the most delicious way to savour success.

So! Here’s my truth. I’m here for a greater you and a greater world! Get in touch if you’d like to explore creating a life more aligned to your own values and truth.

Sasha x

Learn the value and science of intention setting—and download a free intention visualisation.

In our fast-paced and often chaotic lives, finding ways to stay focused, maintain clarity, and achieve success can feel like an uphill battle.

Setting an intention is the deliberate act of defining what you want to achieve and how you want to show up in a specific situation, project, or even your daily life. It's about consciously choosing your mindset and approach to align with your goals and values. Intentions go beyond traditional goal-setting; they are about how you want to feel and be while pursuing your objectives.

You can harness the power of intention setting before you start your day, your week, a meeting, task, year or practically any time you start something new.

Intention Setting—a Life Hack

Intention setting is simple, but done right (by keeping your intent top of mind across time), it can be an incredibly powerful life hack.

Setting your intention helps to focus your mind at both a conscious and unconscious level.

Intention setting contains energy, emotion, imagery, and meaning that you might not have previously discovered. It can teach you, about you. It helps counteract the clutter of the mind, and the unhelpful ‘should’s’ we often set ourselves.

By setting your intention, you tap into your intuition and harness the power of your unconscious mind (your wisdom-powerhouse) to look for opportunities.

The Science Behind Intentions

The power of setting intentions is not merely anecdotal; it has a scientific basis. Neuroscientific research has shown that when you set an intention, you activate specific neural pathways associated with that intention. This mental priming increases your awareness of relevant opportunities and choices, making it more likely for you to take action aligned with your goals.

Intentions engage the reticular activating system (RAS) in your brain. The RAS acts as a filter for incoming information, highlighting what you consider important. When you set an intention, your RAS begins to prioritise data that supports that intention, effectively boosting your focus and awareness.

How to Set Your Intention

Step 1: Trust your Intuition – always, always, always trust your intuition. Ok?

What is your intuition? Your intuition is the first thought that enters your mind once you have cleared the internal ‘judgement’. It is the little voice in your head (not the loud critic, but the quiet wisdom). Trust the impression, thought or hunch that comes to you.

Your intuition will speak to you. It might take time or practice. Listening with a clear mind and a trusting heart is sometimes the tricky part – you’ve got this. Trust yourself.

Step 2: Close your eyes. Take several deep breaths and connect with your body. Listen into your body.

Step 3: Ask yourself “What do I want for my self in the coming year?”

Choose one to three words for your intention for your coming year.

Let yourself feel into the question. Allow your truth to rise to the surface.

Once you have your intention, ask the second question.

Step 4: Ask yourself “To achieve (insert your intention word), what do I have to let go of?”. Ask and allow for a word, or message, to come through for you.

Step 5: Ask yourself “What am I going to do in the next 12 months to achieve (insert your intention word)?”. Ask and allow for a word, or message, to come through for you.

Tips for Intention Setting

1. Be Specific: Your intentions should be clear and specific. Instead of a vague intention like "I want to be successful," say, "I intend to excel in my career by achieving a promotion within the next year."

2. Use Positive Language: Phrase your intentions positively, focusing on what you want to achieve rather than what you want to avoid.

3. Set Realistic Goals: While intentions are powerful, they should be realistic and achievable. Set yourself up for success by setting attainable milestones.

4. Visualise Your Intentions: Create a mental image of yourself embodying your intentions. Visualisation can reinforce your commitment.

5. Write Them Down: Put your intentions in writing. This act of commitment can make your intentions feel more tangible and concrete.

6. Review Daily: Make it a habit to review your intentions daily, ideally in the morning or before important tasks. This reinforces your commitment and keeps your focus sharp. Remember, your mind is your responsibility to feed, clean and program your mind.

Get Your Free Intention Setting Meditation

If this is new to you, I’ve created a 6 minute guided Intention Setting audio meditation for you! All you need to do is just listen and allow.

Enjoy the process. If it helps, think of this like a playful little experiment!

Be sure to join me on Facebook, to get more inspiring tips for a greater you, and a greater world.

Permalink

]]>Elevate Your Life with Strategic Intention Setting—a guide From Authentic State CoachingRelationshipstherapyPsychologyhealthhealinghappinessSashaFri, 13 Aug 2021 07:39:50 +0000https://www.authenticstatecoaching.com/blog/how-to-recognise-if-you-are-you-sabotaging-your-relationships5c79c873348cd9351ad4d0b1:5d17f0aafdafae0001766041:6116096db2b060229a5b2e0b

• Do you get involved with people that you are actually 'not really into'?

• Do you say or do things that hurt the feelings of others, which causes them to emotionally step back from you?

• Do you habitually let your partner down? Intending to commit to your word or promise, but too often fall flat on delivering on your promise? 

Relationships can be complicated, just as people are also complex. We can contradict ourselves, and hurt those we love without knowing why.

We can promise the world to someone; to love, honour and cherish them, but then we can do and say things to sabotage the essential trust, respect and love nurtured over time.

Some of us enter a pattern of sabotage, replaying a cycle of damage and repair in relationships.

And, sometimes, our life is a series of short-lived relationships, unable to develop long-term meaningful relationships.

Relationships are not supposed to be painful. However, they can help us mature and grow emotionally and psychologically. And this growth can hurt. 

Signs of a relationship self-sabotage

Everyone needs love. And we all deserve love. Unfortunately, the road to love can be full of twists, turns and potholes.

Clinging to the fear of abandonment, feelings of inadequacy, family heritage and past traumatic experiences impact our quality of relationships.

Negative thinking patterns are a magnet for relationship issues. This can create a pattern of always finding something wrong with your romantic partner, workmates, family, friends, and practically anyone who tries to establish a healthy relationship with you. 

Sometimes, we need to learn and develop within ourselves before building trusting, safe, long-lasting loving relationships.

For some people, as much as they want love and intimacy, they can unconsciously sabotage their relationships for fear of getting too close. 

Sometimes, the greater the emotional connection, the greater the risk of hurt due to loss. This loss could be through a separation, or even the event of death. For some people this can be associated with feelings of anxiousness that prevents them from continuing a relationship. 

The roots of relationship sabotage

Developmental psychologists tell us that our upbringing has a huge impact on how we relate to others as adults.

British psychiatrist John Bowlby said "the quality of the early parent–infant attachment has lasting impacts on development, especially on later relationships"(1).

Bowlby suggests we all create internal working models of attachment styles. 

Studies suggest that as adults we unconsciously seek out our attachment styles that we developed as children—unless we take action to examine and change these attachment styles throughout our life experiences. 

This means that children who experience love and attention in their early years will seek out secure and stable relationships as adults. In contrast, if someone has an upbringing in which they feel unloved, unattended, or angry or confused, then as a young adult or adult, they will enter relationships in which they act with avoidance, or with resistance.

This can help explain why some people sabotage their relationships or avoid being in relationships altogether. With an insecure internal working, people can avoid forming deep relationships or experience overly anxious feelings when forming close relationships.

The fear of failure, or their false beliefs about themselves, would always compel them to turn on the negative self-talk switch. This eventually leads to the development of insecure attachments, an attachment style in which one avoids connecting emotionally to others.

With avoidance, or resistance attachment styles, we can be wary of getting too close to anyone. We can feel insecure and act out in jealousy. We can be overly dependent on our partner, not allowing them to have the breathing space that balanced, healthy relationships need.

• Do you push people away (sabotaging the relationship) because the feelings of getting close make you anxious or uncomfortable?

• Do you avoid authentic intimacy?

• Do you feel that you are simply not lovable? Or repeatedly ask your partner, how could they love you? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have an insecure internal working model. But please don't lose heart! The good news is that this can be changed. 

Sometimes We Can All Use a Hand to Move Forward

By finding the right therapist, healer, coach or counsellor that suits your responsiveness style, you can shift limiting belief systems that create avoidance and resistance attachment styles of relationships. 

A pattern of sabotaging relationships can be transformed, so that you can experience secure, long-lasting, deeply loving relationships.

You can address any feelings of insecurity, allowing for a greater sense of self-worth and authentic confidence to be developed.

You can also instigate change through bringing an awareness to your pattern of behaviour in relationships by observing your thoughts and actions.

Observe yourself without judgement. Give yourself space and permission to recognise your patterns and belief systems. 

When we decide to take action to do the work on ourselves, we not only grow and evolve as a person, we also become better role models for our families and communities. We become better employees and business owners. Remember, we can all change. Our minds, bodies and hearts can relearn new truths.

• Can you recognise secure, avoidance, or resistance style relationships in your life?

• What is the single, next best thing you could do to support creating more meaningful relationships in your life?

Sasha

If you found this article interesting, you may like ‘Are you on the ‘love-hurt’ merry-go-round?’

This article was originally published for Natural Therapy Pages.

references:
(1) Emotions, Attachment, and Social Relationships In Life-span human development (9th ed) Carol K. Sigelman & Elizabeth A. Rider, 2017

It takes courage to pay attention to our feelings

Feelings are incredibly powerful. They can work for us, and against us.

Think of it like; thoughts are the language of the mind, and emotions are the language of the body.

In our culture, we are often taught to suppress our feelings; to ‘toughen up’, and to ‘get on with it’.

The truth is that many of us are not taught how to connect with our emotions. Some of us are that taught it’s not ‘right’ to feel angry, hurt, disappointed or even happy. So, we can push our feelings down and to the side, and deny our inner truth.

With the unprecedented amount of alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, ill health and poor mental health, obviously something is not working for us.

How many times have you seen yourself or others use food, booze, distraction or any other coping strategy to ignore feelings? Pushing emotions down, so we don’t feel, might work in the short term—but these emotions continue to live in your body.

You’ve probably experienced trauma

Most of us experience some sort of trauma in our lives. Trauma is an emotional response to something such as a natural disaster or another emotionally disturbing or life-threatening event.

The Australian Psychological Society says trauma is a ‘very frightening or distressing events may result in a psychological wound or injury. This trauma can result in difficulty in coping or functioning normally’.

A pioneering researcher and expert on traumatic stress, Bessel van der Kolk, tells us how overwhelming experiences affect the brain, mind, and body awareness. Bessel van der Kolk shares how trauma can ‘get stuck’ in the body and how it can have a profound impact on the capacity for love and work.

Sure, sometimes we do need to push feelings to the side—to get on with it. For example, if you’re fighting a bush fire, or protecting yourself from violence, or coping from an accident, you may need to push emotions to the side—to do what needs to be done, at that crucial moment. But distress continues to live in the body.

Putting emotions to the side can be a coping strategy. And if you do anything year-on-year, like pushing down feelings, and you will get pretty good at it. But, just like running water filling a sink, river or glass —you can’t fill it forever, it will overflow. In some shape or form, it will spill over, potentially with some emotional or financial cost, and causing damage or more trauma.

Overflow can look like being constantly teary, or angry, any other emotion that you don’t want to feel. It can look like illness, depression, anxiety, and disconnection from others and the world around you.

Emotional healing is easier than you think

The good news is you can give your emotions a way to release, in a gentle, safe and controlled way. At Authentic State Coaching, we believe the best way to do this is to ‘heal thy self’ through self healing.

The body has an amazing capacity to heal itself. You can learn and practice listening to and honouring our emotions as they arise.

Your body talks to you. Emotions can safely come and go. Listening to our feelings can be a huge sense of relief. As the quote says, ‘the truth will set you free’. This release can be like unscrewing a pressure valve of trapped emotions from over the years.

Sometimes we might feel so disconnected, powerless or worthless we can forget that change is possible. A good place to start is to acknowledge your feelings.

I am an advocate for Self Directed Healing—a gentle, guided process that allows people to process unwanted emotions. We offer 90 minute on-to-one online sessions that guide people to release emotional pain and limiting beliefs. Learn more about Self Directed Healing here.

Quote: Jamie Kern Lima | Dog pic: Justin Jason

#healing #self healing #coaching #personalgrowth #authenticleadership

It is not unusual in life to experience cycles of thoughts and behaviours—that are unsatisfying, unsupportive, or even detrimental to our health and survival.

We can feel stuck, lost, deflated or frustrated in life, in our health, relationships, and in work and business.

This is a difficult place to be in, and disheartening, particularly if we have made efforts to change, without success.

We can all use a hand moving forward

Working with others gives us strength, support, tools, knowledge, guidance, and momentum.

Whether I am supporting people to move forward in life, business, or relationships—I often start with introducing people to an evidence-based technique that changes lives, called Self Directed Healing.

What is Self Directed Healing

Self Directed Healing is used in leadership training and as a therapeutic tool. It is a powerful, yet gentle complementary healing technique that impacts all levels simultaneously; the mind, body and emotions.

For many people, it works quickly. It is a process without medications or hands-on healing.

As it is a relatively new healing therapy, that combines various other healing modalities, you might not have heard of Self Directed Healing in the same way as counselling, coaching or hypnotherapy, But Self Directed Healing is radically changing lives—for the better.

Self Directed Healing give you the tools to release yourselves from past limitations, from damaging experiences, trauma. It enables people to move forward.

The process allows us to gently identify and release feelings and shift thoughts, at conscious and subconscious levels—it positively impacts the mind, body and emotions.

Self Directed Healing empowers you to reveal a greater version of yourself and opens the door to you to connecting to your most authentic state.

Self Directed Healing participants experience greater confidence, clearer thinking and decision-making, and often a sense of release and weight lighted from their body, shoulders, mind or heart space.

It also teaches people how to honour, rather than to suppress or repress their feelings—this can reduce or remove unhealthy coping strategies and other negative impacts of swallowing our feelings.

Moving Forward

Your next step depends on if you are looking for life or business support and transformation.

I am interested in learning more about your circumstances. If you’d like to schedule a call, you can learn more about what you could expect in our time together—and how you can move forward to a greater you, and a greater life.

To learn more, schedule a call here or email me at sasha@autheticstatecoaching.com

image credits: Joshua Sortino, Max Ostrozhinskiy, Yinchou Han

Permalink

]]>Releasing the past—to move forwardtherapyPsychologySpiritualityIntuitionRelationshipsautheticitySashaFri, 12 Feb 2021 02:27:55 +0000https://www.authenticstatecoaching.com/blog/adaptability-change-cooperation5c79c873348cd9351ad4d0b1:5d17f0aafdafae0001766041:6025dee7b1cff37354b45aef

We know that adaptability is crucial to maintaining and improving the world around us, and to getting along with others.

In Australia and globally, we have adapted to COVID-19. And in doing so, have decreased the severity of its impact.

Being deliberately adaptable means if something is not working for you, or us, then do it differently.

Sometimes on a personal level, we can miss the target, lose our way, struggle with others, or just can’t seem to get what we want. Some people struggle with personal adaptability more than others.

To be adaptable is to be flexible, resilient, modifiable, conformable and changeable.

This means doing something different. Read that again… adaptability means doing something different. 

This could mean anything from risking a relationship by speaking up to maintain your integrity for truth and justice.

Adaptability could mean holding back words we might commonly say in a conversation for they would be pointlessly damaging.

Adaptability could mean reviewing a current strategy that isn't getting desired results, or getting support from someone or something new.

With Darwin's survival of the fittest, adaptability wins—but science also shows us that cooperation has been absolutely vital to the evolution of humankind and other species.

Cooperation and adaptability requires listening, and taking note of feedback.

In healing and therapy we acknowledge that we can’t control others, or the world around us, but we can be the master of our own selves.

It is those who people have an ‘internal locus of control’ (that is, they take responsibility for events that happen to them, both good and bad, and focus on what they can control, and are deliberate in creating their own life), are happier and more successful.

Let me ask you, what feedback are you getting from your body, mind, or others that tells you that something needs to change?

What decision can you make, to help you adapt to this change?

Sasha is a healer and coach supporting people to step forward into a greater version of themselves, creating a ripple effect towards a greater world.

Read more about AUTHENTIC STATE. A Greater You. A Greater World™

Permalink

]]>Adaptability, change and cooperationSashaFri, 11 Dec 2020 00:10:27 +0000https://www.authenticstatecoaching.com/blog/the-truth-will-set-you-free5c79c873348cd9351ad4d0b1:5d17f0aafdafae0001766041:5fd2b3c1dd25df5c45db6a0b

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

What does this quote by human psyche expert, Carl Jung, mean?

I believe for most of us, the unconscious mind is your greatest untapped power, unrealized tool and key to your destiny.

Your unconscious mind must be acknowledged, unveiled, nurtured, protected, tamed most of all programmed by you.

If you are not consciously programming your mind, then something else, your history, your ancestry, your past is controlling you. This is the key to everything, including happiness and success in love and money.

Your unconscious mind holds a library of your past. Your mind is the software of your brain that runs the program of your life—what you think is possible, what you think you deserve, and what you will get or experience in life. It is like a magnet to all things possible, good and bad. Your mind is also deeply connected to the relationship you have with your body.

Most of us know we have an unconscious mind… but often we are not truly aware of its power and potential.

This is because our unconscious is deep and sometimes dark. We steer away from our deepest feelings, afraid of what we will do, say or experience if we actually allow our feelings or thoughts to rise to the surface.

As the founder of analytical psychology, Carl Jung says “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Just like the statement “The truth will set you free” once we bring our subconscious to the forefront of our minds, this is sometimes enough to set free and dissolve limitations, fears, and gives the opportunity to right falsities.

So why don’t we make the unconscious conscious? A few reasons, but often it is the fear of the unknown. Or the pain of these experiences and thoughts we have locked away. We suppress these thoughts and memories. Let’s be clear, this can sometimes be a good coping mechanism for the hard experiences in life, to get us through in the moment. Until that is, these coping mechanisms (and suppressed memories) become a weight and hindrance to us.

But, as therapists know, that which we often suppress will rear its ugly head anyway, but in a way that does not serve you or the people around you. Our subconscious becomes present in our dreams (and sleeplessness), in our day-to-day ‘triggers’, in our limitations, and hurts in our physical and emotional body.

So, what can we do?

Dedicate time, or practice allowing your feelings, thoughts to rise to the surface, with whatever that brings. The thing is, sometimes we can be overwhelmed by our feelings and thoughts. It does not have to be overwhelming. But it does take courage. There are ways, tools to help and support you to make the unconscious conscious. Part of the work I do at Authentic State is to safely help people do this, to resolve inner turmoil, locked up feelings and emotions, to set free limiting beliefs.

I believe that for most of us, heaven and hell is an experience on earth, due to our state of mind.

Whether you experience life as generally a blessing or hostile, depends on how much you have uncovered and brought light to your ‘stuff’.

How much of your biological and culturally inherited and acquired ‘stuff’ are you holding on to? The truth CAN set you free.

image credit: Fathih Latheef

Permalink

]]>The truth will set you freehealinghealthRelationshipstherapySashaFri, 13 Nov 2020 06:41:21 +0000https://www.authenticstatecoaching.com/blog/healing-and-holding-space5c79c873348cd9351ad4d0b1:5d17f0aafdafae0001766041:5fae26539a1aef48f63b3b03I am reminded that pain, loss and trauma are universal.

We experience pain, loss and trauma as individuals… and as a collective. Across different ethnicities, mobs, clans, families… and as a country.  In my opinion, when the individual hurts, so does the collective. It goes both ways.

I think the responsibility for ‘healing’ is universal. Our authorities are responsible for guiding us and ensuring authentic wellness opportunities are accessible through support, legislation, and strong leadership.

Communities and families need to look after each other too. This means offering and giving support and reaching out for support when needed.

For some people, it can be difficult knowing where to get support or finding the right counsellor or healer. This is why checking-in, or pointing our mates and loved ones in the right direction (to a GP or other healing support) can be a lifesaver.

‘Holding space’ for each other may be the key to helping us heal as a country, community, family, or individual.

What is holding space?

Holding space is when we are physically, mentally and emotionally present for someone, as they experience their feelings.

Holding space is about being with someone without judgement and not trying to ‘fix’ them.

We can hold space in our families, with mates, with loved ones, and with people we cross paths with as they share their experiences and stories.

Sometimes it is just sitting with someone and listening. We can focus on their story, ‘listen to understand’, temporarily putting our own needs and opinions to the side.

What do you think would happen if we all tried to ‘hold space’ for each other more often? How would this affect our relationships, families, communities, and our world?

Sometimes we may need to look outside our family, friends and loved ones to be heard without judgement and for someone to ‘hold space’ for us. And that’s ok too.

The work at Authentic State supports people to move forward from pain, loss and trauma. We can also 'hold space' for you.

image credit: Patrick Hendry

Stories are a powerful way we reinforce ourselves and each other what is ‘normal’ and morals, ethics, rights, and wrongs.

Across the ages of time, mankind has reinterpreted and re-written stories and traditions. Many folk tales have been rewritten, and today sit in our bookshelves as fairy tales with the meanings quite different from originally intended. The same thing has happened with our holidays and traditions.

That’s fine. Unless we have lost something valuable in the process.

Personally, I don’t really relate to Halloween. Sure, it is fun to fancy dress, face paint, sugar rush, booze rush. But why do we do it? Why do it? Just because “it’s what we do”? Hmm…

Like a handful of others I know, I prefer to connect to what some say is the origin of Halloween, ‘Samhain’ (pronounced “SOW-in” or “SAH-win”). And in doing this, connecting to something that is more authentic for me.

Samhain can be described as an ancient Celtic tradition that was rewritten or reinterpreted by institutionalised religion.

Samhain can be said to be a time when ‘the veil between the human and spirit realms is lifted’.

Enter the dress-up; the ghouls, the ghosts and the gross! And candles in pumpkins—it is said that candles were once placed in windowsills to ward off ghosts. Samhain also points to ancient rituals connected to nature. Of fires and celebrations.

Rethinking what our traditions mean

In a world of diminishing meaning, of increased inauthenticity, and value of appearances over substance, I like to rethink what our holidays mean. And make them meaningful again.

So this Halloween, I have set time aside for reflection, connection, and not to forget… celebration.

With family, including young ones, we created our own little ceremony. We lit a candle, looked at photos and spoke of our ancestors. We thanked those who have loved us past and present for being in our life. Without them, there would be no us.

I’ve taken time out to be with nature today—to be grateful. And later will drink a splash of spirit in celebration of the beauty and cycles of nature.

In a world where society has pivoted so that many of our holidays, such as Easter, Christmas or Halloween fill the profit bank of business, rather that contentment bank of people—maybe it’s time to do a little more reinterpreting of the meanings of our holidays, at a personal level.

If traditions are not providing you with an authentic sense of comfort and belonging, maybe its time to re-examine the meaning for yourself? You can create your own traditions, with themes surrounding love, connection, gratitude, friendship or whatever brings you a sense of comfort and belonging. Inspiration is all around you.

Inspiration or creativity is sometimes about just following the thread—keep an intention in mind and follow the line to see where it leads you… and when you want to, stop. And reflect on where you have been, and where you want to go next. With a little creativity, you can write (or rewrite) the next tradition in your family.

Image credit: White.RainForest

This is a difficult time—and just as our ancestors have experienced famine, war and disease, and other traumas, this is our ordeal, that we are experiencing together.

I don't talk much about coronavirus. There's so much chat and speculation—what I know is that people and families are struggling, to say the least.

The hero’s journey

Just as in every classic hero's journey, in mythology, and films and stories, this is our ordeal. Our road of trials. 

And, just like in our films, movies and stories, our lives also take an arc. They have chapters and themes that run through our life.  

These themes, ordeals and challenges—they can be hard. This is part of the human experience. It comes with being a human. 

It is these ordeals and challenges that expand us into a better version of ourselves, that help us evolve into a better species—it changes our biology. 

However, these challenges can also be traumatic. They can bring on anxiety or other mental illnesses. Sometimes our challenges in life can be overwhelming, and inhibit us from moving forward.

At times like these we may benefit from leaning on others.

Around 65% of people who are experiencing mental illness do not reach out for help. And the longer we leave it, the harder it can be to move back into health and wellness.

Fortunately, today the topic of mental health is starting to become as ‘normal’ as physical health.

Resistance and your authentic state

Ok. Now, let's talk about Resistance.

Resistance is a force that tends to oppose things, we often resist our own growth and change, because then we are moving toward the unknown, like character entering darkness, metaphorically or literally. 

Fear has served us for centuries, but life has changed. And our brains are a little slow in adapting to our environment. 

But what we know is when it comes to doing the right thing, we need to feel the fear and do it anyway. To walk into the unknown.

We may need to have the courage to know that we may have to leave old ways, habits, and sometimes people behind for our greater good. We might have to say goodbye to a part of us we love or enjoy, but isn't good for us. 

The reality is, the reason why we love these hero stories, is that they resonant with us

Hero stories touch a part of us from deep within our psyche. 

And I believe the truth is: We all are supposed to be our own superhero.

How? Well just as the protagonist in a film, you have more tools, knowledge and support around you than you realise.

The first step is to accept the challenge, to start the journey.

The helpful key to start the journey is to listen to your inner voice, your conscience, and observe yourself.

What is the recurring problem or resistance that you face?

Is it a need for strength, restraint, to reach out, to be more loving or kind, to find simplicity or purpose? To be more disciplined? 

Is it to honour your commitments? To honour yourself? Your partner? Your body's yearning for better health?

Don’t worry. The idea is to lean into your greatest self, take small steps.

Challenges are hard. This is why sometimes we resist them. And why sometimes it is a good ideas to reach out for a little support to get through that chapter.

The superhero, YOU, always have help available. This can be through a tool, a person, or knowledge. Support is here for you.

My current challenge is to step up, and show you, and the world, my face, my thoughts, my work, my skills. And that pushes my boundaries. But I'm prepared to do it, because the end goal, or my mission, to help people and businesses to thrive, is important. 

So, it’s about priorities right? It's about stopping putting things off. Stop making excuses. And to just do it.

Let’s learn from those who have lived… and regretted not living

In an article by The Guardian in 2012 an Australian nurse who worked in palliative care `questioned the elderly about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, she said that "common themes surfaced again and again."

Number one was “I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me”.

Who can relate to that? Are you listening to your true calling? Are you listening to your inner voice?

The second most common regret was, “I wish I hadn't worked so hard.” That's about priorities and mindset right? How are your priorities? Money making Mindset? Are you working harder or smarter?

The third most common regret was, “I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.”

This is a little sad. Our culture doesn't seem to value expression of feeling -- many of us aren't taught (through role modelling or otherwise) how to express, or talk about or even feel our feelings.

The work I do at Authentic State helps people to express their feelings. And to heal their emotions. And I help people find the courage to live a life true to themselves.

What is your current challenge?

Now, my question for you is: What is your current personal theme OR challenge in your life? 

What is the knowing or feeling inside you telling you that you are resisting? 

How can you honour your inner knowing, and step up to a greater version of yourself?

Could you use a little help moving forward?

Remember, I'm here to support people like you to cross through challenging times. I have a bag of healing and coaching tools I can share with you.

Reference: The Guardian. 2012. Top Five Regrets Of The Dying. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying> [Accessed 25 October 2020].

Images: Hassan OUAJBIR and Brett Jordan

Something Must Change. The Statistics on Mental Health Are Real.

Mental health, abuse and suicide rates are far too high. Addictions and dependencies are more common than ever.

• Men average six out of every eight suicides every day in Australia.

• The suicide rate among young tradesmen is three times higher than for other men.

• On average, one in eight men will experience depression at some stage of their lives.

• On average, one in five men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.

• Addictions and dependencies are more common than ever.

• Some even say we are experiencing an unhappiness epidemic.

In the 21st century we are looking for new ways to help cope with modern day pressures, expectations and temptations.

We are realising that traditional solutions and support structures, on their own, just aren’t cutting it anymore. We are looking for new ways to help cope with modern day pressures.

The thing is, guys often don’t want to talk to a therapist, psychologist, mate or partner. They just prefer to be fixed, like rebooting a PC or changing a spark plug. Simple. No fuss.

The great thing about how Authentic State approaches healing and therapy is that this is not a big ‘talk therapy’.

Sure, talking has its place, but I use evidence-based healing, psychological know-how and transformational coaching to connect blokes and women with their greatest and most authentic state.

With a combination of traditional therapy and complementary treatment/natural therapy, I help people who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, addicted, stuck or experiencing other limitations, to find their way to feeling connected and whole again.

Read more about how I help blokes move forward in mental health. 

*Statistics references

Permalink

]]>Blokes mental health. Something must change.SashaFri, 09 Oct 2020 19:53:00 +0000https://www.authenticstatecoaching.com/blog/feeling-is-not-a-dirty-word5c79c873348cd9351ad4d0b1:5d17f0aafdafae0001766041:5f80144659670c4b65062e3a

Sometimes I like to think of my body like a car.

The body, like a vehicle, moves us through life. We put fuel (food) into it. And when you listen to it, it will tell you if something is not working properly.

At some stage in history, listening the language of our body, aka our feelings, got a bad name.

‘Feelings’ haven’t always been labelled for the ‘soft’, ‘weak’ or ‘weird’. Because we evolved to have them in the first place, right? And natural selection/survival of the fittest wins, right?

Feelings are the language of the body—and powerful and insightful. Just like listening to our car, feelings let us know something good or bad is going on… or something is good or bad for us.

But be mindful, ‘feelings’ are different to body ‘sensations’ like lust, taste and satisfaction.

Feelings help us connect to others. And they make life exciting, smoochy or just fun.

But feelings can hurt too. They can be cripplingly painful. For how long, depends on how we manage our feelings.

Enter, the shutdown.

Shut your doors, eyes and heart

Many of us have learnt to shut down our feelings because it is easier and less painful than feeling rejection, hurt, grief, trauma... Shutting out feelings (stuffing them down and blocking them out) can help put a hurtful experience behind us and move forward in life.

Yes, something shutting down feelings can and are a coping mechanism. But sometimes emotional shutdowns disable us. We can become emotionally numb—causing relationships to breakdown, we can be disconnected to life, and we can lose touch of who we authentically are.

The problem is that most of us are not taught how to deal with our emotions.

The Sensitive Child

I was a ‘sensitive’ child. I found that my emotions were a tremendous roller-coaster of highs and lows. As an adult I’ve had to learn to manage this double-edged sword. And wouldn’t have it any other way today 😊.

On one hand deep emotions roll through me like the ebb and flow of the tides, on the other hand I can be extremely intuitive, insightful, creative and connected to nature and the world around me.

2020 Mental Health Month is themed ‘Tuning In’.

As a Self Directed Healing practitioner and coach, here’s a gold tip to honouring who you are at the core of you; at your emotional roots.

Honouring your feelings

If you can, when you’re feeling strong emotions, take a moment for yourself. Tune into your feelings. Especially when you are sad, anxious or hurting.

• Breathe deeply (oxygen helps the motion of feelings—to let them pass authentically and quickly).

• Locate the feeling in your body. Where is the pain, sadness, grief or other feeling? Is it in your heart, chest, gut?

• Say out loud, “I feel…”.

• Label the feeling, but do not attach yourself to the feeling. For instance, if you notice a feeling of guilt, think “this is a feeling (thought) of guilt”.

• And feel into the emotion—it wants to be felt.

• Try to keep within the location of the feeling in your body–it might move around, and that’s ok.

• Try to see, hear, sense AND feel the emotion.

• Allow it to be felt—that is all it wants to do. It wants to be able to have its moment in time.

• Feel, observe and let it pass. It will pass.

Our problems often come when we push down our feelings (with drugs, food, drink, distractions etc.), smothering and covering them. Be warned, in doing this, FEELINGS WILL NOT DISAPPEAR. They are likely to compress and compile until they manifest as an emotional explosion or illness.

e-motion

emotion meaning: The Latin word for emotion is ’emotere’, which literally means ‘energy in motion’; e-motion.

Your emotions just want to be felt, to pass through you. That’s all. They want to do what they were designed for, to be experienced. Your mind can observe them. So often we unnecessarily judge or feelings. Stop that.

Feel, observe, be.

Tune-in. Honour your emotions, allowing the energy to move through you.

It can take practice. Be patient with yourself.

The irony of all this is that feeling is actually for the brave! Those who dare win.

If you’d like to shift a cycle of negative feelings, trauma or learn more about Self Directed Healing, get in touch with me.

Permalink

]]>Feeling is not a dirty worddigital mediamarketingauthenticitySashaThu, 28 May 2020 09:36:33 +0000https://www.authenticstatecoaching.com/blog/authenticity-fact-checking-and-false-news5c79c873348cd9351ad4d0b1:5d17f0aafdafae0001766041:5ecf810f01658b7cb8732463

For the first time, this week Twitter labeled a post by US President Trump with a fact-check label, linking to an article stating that the content was “unsubstantiated". This transparency of Twitter fact-checking has been on the roll-out for a few months. 

Transparency is good. Thanks for the warning label Twitter. 

But surely I’m not the only online user who is thinking this label is appropriate for quite a lot of social media content?

For me, this recent fake news warning points to the notion that with freedom of speech comes personal responsibility. 

Unfortunately, we can’t trust that others are always responsible with their words, thoughts or actions. But we can try to be mindful of our own personal responsibility. And with that responsibility comes a big scoop of healthy skepticism and fact-checking. 

No doubt we'll see more ‘how-to fact check’ guides online (like this ‘How to fact check guide’ below ).

Authenticity and censorship

The thing is, if we don’t use our own discretion to:

• Research and weigh up a comment, post or article’s authenticity and trustworthiness

or

• Recognise when opinion is represented as fact,

then we are at a great risk of resting far too heavily on our authorities; law, big business, government, to dictate to us on what is real, normal and acceptable. 

Labels are helpful, but responsibility is essential. If we can’t trust that others are always responsible, then we have to take more responsibility into our own hands.

Consider this... We know Facebook continues to remove posts and other content that may “harm" users. Growing evidence tells us that “harmful” content to you and me, is not the only content we are censored from. 

Just this morning a Facebook post was removed from the account of a trusted source of mine. This person had shared a friend's post containing their pictures taken of police violence and human right violation in Hong Kong. 

Also, after being found out, apparently YouTube has been “accidentally” deleting comments that criticise the Communist Party of China. 

Why was this content censored? Who is this censorship protecting? And why?

Censorship is supposed to protect us, the people, right?

But as Noam Chomsky says “You look at the media, or at any institution you want to understand. ... You want to know something about their setting in the broader society. How do they relate to other systems of power and authority?” If the great Noam is correct, then the answer to these questions are eye-widening and disconcerting.

I’ve recently also noticed that my online search results are really bad, wrong even. 

Today, unlike this time last year, it’s harder to find reputable information sources from universities and independent organisations (even when including .edu or .org in keyword search terms and using other search tips). 

At time of writing this, my search results are more commonly media websites and social platforms. 

So it seems that annoyingly, online search algorithms are click-baiting and time-wasting me into their websites, for me only to find no substantial content related to the actual keyword search term. 

Seems I'm not alone; SEO roundtable reported yesterday that 3,000 people commented/complained about Google on a popular forum (see ‘Google's May 2020 Core Update Mess Up Google's Search Results?) Hopefully search platforms will listen to it’s ‘customers’ and remedy this. Alternatively, in the future, will people gravitate more towards the ‘dark web’?

Oh, and ‘deep fakes’ are on the rise. This month Forbes reported ‘at the beginning of 2019 there were 7,964 deep fake videos online’, and we are at risk of ‘“reality apathy”: It’s too much effort to figure out what’s real and what’s not, so you’re more willing to just go with whatever your previous affiliations are’.

What does it all mean?

So what does all this mean to you and me? 

We must not take authenticity for granted. Nor our freedom of speech. 

We are all responsible for seeking out ‘truths’, sharing trustworthy tools and information with each other, so we can have trusted information from people we trust. 

Responsibility is synonymous with adulthood. We are all responsible for speaking up for ourselves, each other and the future generations.

The big social media platforms are not twenty years old yet. As they move through their teenage years, it appears they are still figuring out who they are, and the rules they want to play by. Remember, we are all on social media because ‘everyone’ else is on these platforms. Without our presence on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter etc these platforms wouldn't exist. Business follows the customer. You really have more power that you realise, online and elsewhere.

On a final note, as digital literacy educator, Michael Caulfield says “the web is both the largest propaganda machine ever created and the most amazing fact-checking tool ever invented”.

How to fact check

See these top tips for fact-checking (courtesy of Caulfield):

• Check for previous work: Look around to see if someone else has already fact-checked the claim or provided a synthesis of research.

• Go “upstream” to the source of the claim. Most web content is not original. Get to the original source to understand the trustworthiness of the information. 

• Read laterally: Once you get to the source of a claim, read what other people say about the source (publication, author, etc.). The truth is in the network.

• Circle back: If you get lost, hit dead ends, or find yourself going down an increasingly confusing rabbit hole, back up and start over knowing what you know now. You’re likely to take a more informed path with different search terms and better decisions. 

In your search engine results (on Google, Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla, Duck Duck Go etc), scan the results and focus on the URLs and the blurbs to find the best result to click in the returned result set. 

You can read Caulfeild’s full book on web literacy here (the material is available under Public License).

Fact checking websites

• https://fullfact.org/

• https://theconversation.com/au/factcheck

• https://www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/factchecks/

• https://www.factcheck.org/

• https://www.snopes.com/

• https://truthbetold.news/category/fact-checks/

• https://www.hoax-slayer.com/

• https://www.theguardian.com/news/reality-check

Sources:

Clark, B., 2018. Fact Or Fiction? Using The Web To Quickly Fact-Check Social Media Feeds | Washington State Magazine | Washington State University. [online] Magazine.wsu.edu. Available at: <https://magazine.wsu.edu/web-extra/fact-or-fiction-using-the-web-to-quickly-fact-check-social-media-feeds/> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Caulfeild, M., 2019. Web Literacy For Student Fact Checkers. [online] Mikecaulfield.files.wordpress.com. Available at: <https://mikecaulfield.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/web-literacy-for-student-fact-checkers-1567184081.pdf> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers by Michael A. Caulfield is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted. 

Clark, B., 2020. Fact Or Fiction? Using The Web To Quickly Fact-Check Social Media Feeds | Washington State Magazine | Washington State University. [online] Magazine.wsu.edu. Available at: <https://magazine.wsu.edu/web-extra/fact-or-fiction-using-the-web-to-quickly-fact-check-social-media-feeds/> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Chomsky, N., 1997. What Makes Mainstream Media Mainstream. [online] Chomsky.info. Available at: <https://chomsky.info/199710__/> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Schwartz, B., 2020 26 May. Google's May 2020 Core Update Mess Up Google's Search Results?. [online] seroundtable.com. Available at: <https://www.seroundtable.com/google-may-2020-core-update-mess-up-29508.html> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Toews, R., 2020 25 May. Deepfakes Are Going To Wreak Havoc On Society. We Are Not Prepared.. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/robtoews/2020/05/25/deepfakes-are-going-to-wreak-havoc-on-society-we-are-not-prepared/?fbclid=IwAR1QAqVX9fdMoblMeBW9hJVfP89nAZnhQjxTObgx8SqSYVCDv6ItVPMq_sg#4c66178c7494> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Vincent, J., 2020. 26 May. Youtube Is Deleting Comments With Two Phrases That Insult China’S Communist Party. [online] The Verge. Available at: <https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/26/21270290/youtube-deleting-comments-censorship-chinese-communist-party-ccp> [Accessed 28 May 2020].

Earlier this year, I was feeling sad. My usual joys weren’t lifting my spirits. I didn't understand why, until it dawned on me.

I had been too deeply plugged into digital news and rotating images of natural disasters melting ice caps pollution plastics extinctions sufferings cruelty greed unethical politics poor leadership… I couldn't see the world around me was taking it seriously.

It wasn't until environmental activist, Greta Thunburg, shared my view waking the masses with her actions and messages about our climate emergency; "I don’t want you to be hopeful, I want you to panic"(1).

That was it. With Thunberg's and other worldwide student protests, the cry for urgent change finally hit mainstream culture (PRAISE the young!). 

Be alarmed. Not Afraid.

We are right to feel alarmed. We (you, me, our leaders and policy makers) need to be aware, think and act on climate change. We also need to think about how we ‘place’ these thoughts or issues in our minds and lives, according to how much power we have.

Depression, obsessive thinking, panic attacks, irritability, breathlessness—is how environmental challenges are affecting some of us. 

‘Eco-anxiety’ (or 'ecological grief') can be described as feeling distressed about the state of the planet, and its future.** 

The World Health Organisation regards climate change as “the greatest threat to global health in the 21st Century” (2). Whilst the Australian Medical Association declared climate change a health emergency, as do a growing list of medical bodies around the world (3). The impact of climate change on our mental health is very real.

What to do with eco-anxiety?

Situations that need radical change, require strong leadership; paired with openness and commitment to new ideas and trying new things. 

In terms of eco-anxiety, this includes how you lead yourself. By this, I mean your self-care. Your. Self. Care. 

This is caring enough about yourself to get enough rest, to eat and drink well, and to move your body. This decreases your anxiety. It helps you to respond better to the world you live according to your values and ethics. You have greater energy and clarity to align with your best and most authentic state.

Take a digital detox. Your Facebook or Insta account won't miss you for a week or two, and your mental health will perk up. Clear your mind. Refill it with positive things and gratitude for the actions for the things that have been done to help (like these six stories about climate change). Talk to like-minded people about the positive things we can do. Be kind to yourself. Know that change takes time. No one is perfect. 

Eco-therapists encourage people to take action on environmental issues.

Start with one thing. Small actions help. Perhaps create a new positive habit, like turning off lights (yes mum), or refusing single use single-use plastics like plastic straws and cutlery. 

The Climate Council Climate Action Toolkit offers information on how you can help climate change.

The United Nations say a plant based diet can help climate change (4), so perhaps explore eating less meat.

Climate change also needs strong leadership in our Governments, families, workplaces, businesses, schools, social and recreation spheres (congrats to artists like Billie Eilish and Coldplay who are leading change in the entertainment business).

Mums and dads need to be informed. It’s no longer enough to say “it will be OK”. Kids need to hear and see authentic commitment to sustainability in their families.

Children and young adults can join The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) or School Strike 4 Climate on Facebook.

So what can you do about eco-anxiety? Take action. But be gentle with yourself. Do what works for you. Be it big or small. Take control back into your hands.

And what did I do? In August 2019 I created Authentic State—A Greater You. A Greater World™. I made a commitment to sharing tools and information to help others lean into the best versions of themselves and claim their power; to create a greater you, and a greater world. 

If this article has raised any issues for you, get in touch with Authentic State, or call Lifeline crisis support 24/7 on 13 11 14.

Read about Authentic State, and what we stand for here.

**Symptoms of eco-anxiety can overlap with symptoms of other types of anxiety; however at the time of this article publication there is no specific diagnosis for eco-anxiety included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

References:

1. Thunberg, Greta (25 January 2019). "I want you to panic: 16-year-old issues climate warning at Davos". Guardian News. Event occurs at 2:23. Archived from the original on 17 September 2019. Accessed 20 November 2019, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjsLm5PCdVQ&t=2m23s>
2. Good Therapy, 2018. accessed 29 November 2019, <https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/eco-anxiety>
3. Australian Medical Association, 2019, accessed 29 November 2019, <https://ama.com.au/media/climate-change-health-emergency>
4. BBC News, 2019, accessed 29 November 2019, <https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49238749>

Image Credits: NASA , Christian Erfurt, Markus Spiske, Meghan Rodgers

The ‘Pain Body’

Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle says “There are two levels to your pain: the pain that you create now, and the pain from the past that still lives on in your mind and body”. 

Most of us would say we want to live without pain. However, Eckhart suggests we have a ‘pain body’ that seeks pain. And just like the needy monsters in the series ‘Stranger Things’, this pain body wants feeding. The hunger of the ‘pain body’ is only satisfied when we experience strong negative emotional reactions.

The Emotional Merry-Go-Round

Does this sound familiar?

• Do you and your partner bicker or argue too often?

• Do you both push each other emotional buttons, and end up angry, hurt or defensive?

• Do your relationships bring out feelings of shame, unworthiness, disappointment or feelings of being unloved?

• Are you and your partner ‘finger-pointing’ to each other (pointing ‘blame’ or ‘responsibility’ of how you each feel, back to each other)?

• Have you ever stayed too long in a relationship that fired emotional triggers, or find that time and time again, you are with different people but in the same relationship, with these same arguments?

These are examples of relationships that feed the ‘pain-body’ (the hurt creature) that lives inside you.

Relationships are not supposed to be painful. Like a ‘love-hurt’ merry-go-round, sometimes we can get stuck in a cycle of ups and downs. Our relationship is great, then a something starts the arguing and hurt, before things settle down. Then another emotional trigger starts conflict and pain, before it calms down again… you get the idea.

Are You Keeping an Eye on Your Shadow Side?

Psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung (1875-1961) told us we all have a ‘Shadow’ side; the unknown dark side of the personality. This hugely influential Swede believed to truly grow as a person, one must remove willful blindness to one’s own Shadow side. Jung believed that by not wanting to look at our Shadow directly, many people project them onto others; meaning that the qualities of others we struggle with in our most intimate relationships, are qualities we are not willing to acknowledge in ourselves.

That is, qualities we have not resolved in ourselves, like a lack of kindness, acceptance and love for our selves, are replicated from our external world. So for example if you haven’t 100% accepted yourself, you will attract others who will not 100% accept you; or if you are not kind to yourself, you will attract people who are not kind to you. This perspective shares a confronting and hard truth. We live in a culture of comparison, achievement, distraction and denial, so rest assured, you’re not alone here.

Your pain-body is part of your Shadow side. When we are upset reliving old emotional pain, we are feeding our pain body.

The thing is, we often point our fingers at others in blame or as the cause of our hurt. Sure, he or she may have behaved like a complete dingbat, however it’s the extent of our reaction that is significant.

The crux of the matter is that the emotion you experience in your body, in response to your relationship today, is often due to deep-set pain from your experiences of the past and your inherited emotional biology. Past experiences of fear, loss, rejection, betrayal and other hurts and trauma become the emotional ‘imprint’, from which we unconsciously seek to repeat in relationships again and again. 

You might be asking, do I really have a ‘pain-body’ that says “feed me!”, at the cost of crippling you moving forward in love, work and from being the greatest possible version of yourself? You may be asking “why would I (subconsciously) sabotage our relationships and those I love most?”. The simple answer is, because most of us don’t know we have a ‘pain-body, and we don’t know how to stop feeding the ‘pain-body’.

How to Manage Your Pain Body and Emotional Triggers

So how do we deal with the pain body?

At best, clearing the underlining, unwanted hurt (pain body) from the past, and addressing the root of the issue gets the quickest and best results. To do this you need to allow a trained healer, therapist or coach to guide you through the process. It can be a quick but profound process. Shifting the root emotional memory that has been locked in the body releases the self-limiting belief that acts like the magnet to negative behaviours.

Secondly, be mindful of ‘awareness’, ‘observation’ and ‘presence’.

1. Be aware when you are reacting to someone with feelings of hurt, anger or if you are offended, and consider it a ‘teachable moment’, what can you learn about yourself in that moment. This is difficult but not impossible.

2. Observe your feelings rather than react from your feelings.

3. Be present. Simply observe it and be the witness. Don’t judge it, be the space for it. Then gradually, its energy will decrease.

Try this as a personal experiment across the next couple of weeks and see what happens for yourself.

Self Directed Healing

At Authentic State Coaching, we are passionate about removing patterns of pain and trauma, enabling people to embrace their best self and greatest life in health, love and careers.

Through ‘Self Directed Healing’ we help people clear old triggers and dissolve the ‘pain-body’. This is like a life-hack; a quick and long-lasting remedy to your pain body. Imagine being set free from old hurts and unhealthy relationship patterns.

Read more about Self Directed Healing here.

Image Credits: Stijn te Strake | ScottWebb

How often have you said:

• ”I knew that was going to happen.”

• “I just felt it wasn't right.”

• “I knew he/she couldn't be trusted.”

• “I don’t know why—I just think we should do/ go/ think (this way).”

Yep! That's right. This is your gut instinct and intuition—a grand power and insight beyond your tangible senses.

Now. Have you ever said:

• “I should have listened to my instinct.”

• “I should have gone with my gut.“

• “I should have contacted him/her.”

I have. And the grief I might have avoided, time I wouldn't have wasted, and opportunities I might have won! 

So why don’t we listen to our gut/ instinct/ intuition? Put very simply, it’s because we, our society hasn't valued intuition and gut instinct. We are not encouraged or formally taught to develop and listen to this insightful and valuable tool.

Yes, bless our modern society in the development and valuing of ‘Reason’. Let’s ground ourselves in logic and reason, but also respect intuition and gut instinct.

For centuries, gut/ instinct/ intuition has been thrown to the Artists, ‘weirdos’, ‘other’ ‘primitive’ races, ‘witches’ and other marginalised people. Needless to say, we have missed a good thing; a core piece of who we are, biologically, cognitively and historically… And really, a big ‘ole part of the world in which we live.

Gut/ instinct/ intuition can offer so much wisdom and guidance to our lives, but is greatly undervalued, ignored and sometimes gas-lighted!

Science and Intuition 

Today gut/ instinct/ intuition is a topic of growing interest in science—how wonderful it is to have the two hemispheres combine.

Studies on topics that overlap and explore this skill are growing in number, for instance automatic processing, subliminal priming, implicit memory, heuristics, right-brain processing, instant emotions, nonverbal communication and creativity.

Am I Feeling Anxiety or My Gut Instinct?

Granted, it may be difficult to know the difference between intuition and anxiety. What feels like intuition, a thought that won't go away, butterflies in your stomach—might actually be anxiety. One way to validate your gut instinct is to look at your surroundings for some concrete evidence, and to keep testing your gut instinct on big and small circumstances.

Go On, Test Your Intuition and Gut Instinct

Power is in your hands. Test your gut, instinct and intuition for yourself. 

Your life is your very own experimental ‘mental’ playground. Why not make a conscious decision to test your gut instinct and intuition. Then listen, feel and be aware of what floats to the surface, what comes through, what nudges you, and test the validity of this, in the world you see, hear, and experience around you.

One of the most intelligent things we can ever do in our life is to find a connection to our intuition. I say, follow reason, but before taking action, listen to the wisdom of your intuition.

No content on this site, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Read about Authentic State, and what we stand for here.

#ExperimentalMindset #Intuition #InnerPower

Photo credit: Cody Black