Self-Sufficiency Can Earn You Respect

Feeling secure and content with yourself is key to being fulfilled in life and living the best life possible. When you are decisive and able to pursue your dreams without seeking permission, you can accomplish anything you want. 

 

Self-reliance reminds you that you can trust in your abilities and do anything you put your mind to. It boosts your self-esteem and keeps you looking forward to a better life. 

 

When you face discouragements or constant criticism, you can easily get over them because you know who you are and what you can do. You don’t let anything or anyone get you down or talk you out of living the life you want because you trust in your abilities. Your past successes are a constant reminder of what you can do and how far you can go. You have evidence that you can achieve anything in life and never let failure stop you from working on your goals. 

 

When people around you know that you can do anything you set your mind to without seeking approval, they will respect you. When people see that you are a go-getter who always gets things done, they will take you seriously. When you are resilient, decisive, confident, and always get back up after failure, you will teach people to respect you. So, seek independence in all areas of your life and enjoy every minute.

 

If you’ve had bad breaks and lost confidence in yourself, take the following steps to develop self-reliance and enjoy your life more:

 

Be proactive

 

Learn to solve problems on your own and figure things out by yourself without waiting for someone to come along and suggest a solution. Use currently available resources to make the most of your life. 

 

Use your skills to start working on your dreams and bring them to life. Work with what you have. 

 

Manage your time wisely and live intentionally. Look for opportunities to grow and seize them. Make sure you get one step closer to bringing your vision to life daily. Doing this keeps you motivated and helps you focus more on your abilities and less on what is happening around you.

 

Accept yourself 

 

Self-acceptance is key to finding happiness and being content with who you are. So, accept where you are and who you are. If you’ve made mistakes in the past, forgive yourself and move on. If someone has hurt you, forgive them and move on. Realize that your peace is more important than the hurt they’ve caused you.

 

Accept where you are but keep working on being where you desire to be and arriving at your destination.

 

If you accept yourself, it can easily show and people will learn to respect you more because they know that you are comfortable with who you are and don’t need anyone to tell you what you can or can’t be. 

 

Be decisive

 

Indecisiveness is a sign of low self-esteem. It shows that you are unsure of yourself and need someone else to validate your decision before you can take the next step. So, learn to make your own decisions and stick to them. If you are stuck between choosing one important thing over the other, trust that you will make the right decision. Don’t seek approval from anyone. If you make a mistake or take a wrong turn, don’t be discouraged. 

 

Realize that we learn from mistakes. Refine your decision-making skills to avoid making the same mistake twice. 

 

Speak up if you are being mistreated and refuse to be stepped on. Confront the person responsible and let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. If he or she refuses to change, end your relationship because tolerating that sort of treatment only weighs you down. 

 

If you see any form of injustice around you, speak up. Stand up for someone who can’t stand up for themselves. Don’t pretend you can’t see the injustice that is happening. If you can’t do anything about it, talk to someone who can. Ask for their intervention and explain why their involvement will help. 

 

Help someone else 

 

Sometimes the best way to renew your confidence is by focusing on someone else other than yourself. So, help someone else. Be kind to others. Do good and help someone improve their life in some way. It doesn’t have to be financial assistance only. You can offer emotional support, encouragement, and show the person you choose to help that they have what it takes to do ABC. 

 

Share words of encouragement and hope. Help someone going through a tough time see there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. 

 

Be an inspiration. Inspire someone to change, improve, be more and do more. Doing this makes you realize that you matter and have an important role to play in life.

 

Self-Sufficiency Improves The Quality Of Your Relationships

There are many ways in which one can explain self-sufficiency, but my favorite definition has to be one I came across in an article on Psychology Today. Steve Taylor wrote that self-sufficiency is the quality of feeling secure and content with oneself, a deep-rooted sense of inner completeness and stability. When you are self-sufficient, you are cognizant that you are enough. In all the situations you approach from a perspective of self-sufficiency, you are aware of your value as a person. To be honest, when one is self-aware, the quality of their relationships improves because you know what you deserve. If you view yourself as a decent human being who is worthy of self-love and respect, you will not accept being mistreated by people. Let's look at some of how self-sufficiency can improve the quality of your relationship. 

 

You can set boundaries.

 

This is a sore subject for many of us because we do not want to lose our loved ones. When you are self-sufficient, setting boundaries becomes easy for you because you know what you bring to the table. Keeping in mind your value and all the work you have put in to become the person you are will inform your decisions about how you want to be treated. You will then surround yourself with people that understand who you are and are in your life because they respect the boundaries that you would have set. 

 

We have all heard repeatedly that you teach people how to treat you, and the boundaries you set for loved ones will teach them how to treat you. If you are a person who has no respect for yourself and you keep people in your life out of desperation, you will find yourself surrounded by people who do not value you. As Iyanla says, "Draw a line in the sand, if the line is crossed there must be a consequence." What this means is that you should set clear boundaries, and people should respect you enough to appreciate the boundaries you set. As a self-sufficient individual, it will be easy for you to remove yourself from situations where people do not respect your boundaries. 

 

You can choose the people you want around you.

 

There is nothing more powerful than a person who respects themselves enough to not be the one that is consistently chosen as a friend. Self-sufficiency will allow you to be decisive about the people you want to have in your life. You will keep people in your life because you want them in it, not because you need them. Many people have stayed in abusive relationships because they were dependent and could not leave. Being self-sufficient, whether it is financially or emotionally, could save you from very unpleasant situations. This is one of the reasons why we are all encouraged to go on the journey of self-discovery because there is nothing more addictive than another human being. Knowing that you can provide for yourself and pick yourself up when you need to will empower you as an individual. That power will help you choose like-minded people, and your connections will not be based on co-dependency. 

 

You can be more assertive.

 

Standing up for yourself is a superpower, but unfortunately, we are not all born with that superpower. If you are in a relationship with someone who is strong-willed and has a strong personality, you will need to be assertive. For your needs to be met, you need to articulate what you need from your partner. Being the partner that is always compromising will leave you drained and feeling unappreciated. When you are a self-sufficient person, you can be assertive and make it a point that your feelings are considered in the relationship because you matter. The relationship can then become a safe space because you show up as your most authentic self and in honesty. Your partner will also appreciate the honesty as it will not cause resentment in the future.

 

The takeaway

 

Navigating through life and relationships can be a challenge. There is a constant need to ensure that when people like us, we do not disappoint them or scare them off by being self-sufficient. We often mistake co-dependency for the foundation on which relationships should be built. We then have relationships where we are enmeshed, and there are no clear boundaries. This does not help our relationships as there is no code of conduct and people end up taking each other for granted. To enjoy any relationship, you need to maintain your individuality because that is what makes you unique. To enjoy a relationship of high quality, you should, as the saying goes, fill your cup and give what is running over. Practicing self-love will allow you to respect yourself enough to value relationships because of what you bring to the table, not what you are constantly receiving.

 

Self-Sufficiency In Romantic Relationships

If you always need your partner’s approval or anyone’s approval before making any decisions, you need to be more self-sufficient. Have confidence in yourself. Don’t seek approval from anyone before making important decisions that will have a huge impact on your life. Become an independent thinker. Trust in yourself and know that you are enough.

 

Being self-sufficient in all areas of your life is important and especially in your romantic relationship. It is key to ensuring you enjoy your relationship and make the most of it. 

 

Your partner needs to know that you can make your own decisions. This doesn’t mean you have to ignore your partner’s opinion or do everything by yourself. It simply means you have to be confident enough to handle what needs to be handled without outside intervention. It means being able to do what you should without seeking external help.

 

You will have more joy in your relationship when your significant other knows that you can stand on your own feet, are decisive, and have enough confidence to go after your dreams. 

 

Sometimes the main thing that makes it difficult to enjoy your relationship is being too dependent. If your partner is the only one who makes all the decisions, neither of you will be happy. You both need to make contributions where your lives are concerned. That means being involved in the decision-making process, expressing your opinion without being apologetic about it, and making financial contributions. 

 

You have to play your part and do what you can. Live to the best of your abilities and learn to make smart decisions and stand by them.

 

Self-sufficiency renews your self-worth. 

 

Losing faith in yourself and questioning your worth is easy when you are not self-reliant and depend on your partner for everything. That is why countless people are unhappy in their relationships. The problem isn’t what you don’t have or what your partner refuses to do. It’s failing to stand on your own and be true to who you are. 

 

If you have lost faith in your abilities, feel you are not good enough or are convinced you don’t have what it takes to improve your life, think again. Realize that you are enough. You can still become all you’ve ever wanted. You have what it takes to turn your life around. 

 

Shift your focus from what you can’t do to what you can do. Renew your dreams and start working on them. 

 

Speak positivity into your life and renew your self-confidence. Start each day with “I am enough”, “I can make it happen”, “I can accomplish ABC”, “I will make it”, and “I was born to succeed.”

 

Concentrate on becoming self-sufficient in your relationship so you can easily work through disagreements and enjoy every minute. 

 

Self-sufficiency is key to emotional maturity and independence. 

 

Emotional maturity is one thing that most people struggle with despite how long they have been in relationships. If you are constantly thinking “Maybe I’m not enough”, “What if he or she leaves?”, or“Something is missing. I’m no longer fulfilled in this relationship”, you need to work on your emotional independence.

 

Realize that the way you feel has nothing to do with what your partner is doing or isn’t doing. Establish your personal space and understand that you control your happiness. Learn to be happy and feel good about yourself despite what your partner does or doesn’t do or say.

 

Be passionate about your life. Constantly work on becoming the best version of yourself and learn to master your feelings. Not the other way around.

 

Maintain a positive attitude and have something good to look forward to. 

 

When you face discouragements or disappointments, don’t let your emotions get in the way. Talk things over with your partner and work through disputes the right way. 

 

When you encounter failure, don’t quit. Get back up and try again. Keep moving forward. Have a “This is not the end of the road” attitude and realize that tomorrow can be better.

 

Emotional maturity and independence are key to a happy and fulfilling relationship. 

 

Being self-reliant doesn’t mean you never have to lean on your partner for anything because the best way to nurture and grow your relationship is by learning to be there for each other. So, support each other, take care of each other, share your deepest feelings, and know you can always count on each other for anything. 

 

Seek interdependence to enjoy your partnership more. Play your part and let your partner play his. Embrace your true self and let your significant other do likewise. Do things together. Contribute what you can and seek to improve where you can. Make important decisions together especially ones that affect both of you. Doing this helps you grow your relationship and focus more on the positive. 

 

Self-Sufficiency Promotes A Healthy Mindset

‘Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient.’ Aristotle.

 

A healthy mindset is the key to live a happy life. If you seek fulfillment or meaning, you have to do everything in your power to ensure that you adopt the right mindset. You must align your thoughts to what you want to achieve.

 

The greatest battle always occurs in the mind. What you allow in your mind determines whether you will succeed or fail. To have a chance to make significant accomplishments, you must be in control of thoughts and your emotions. You must be able to shut out negativity and distance yourself from anything that diminishes your confidence. It is only once you develop a positive attitude that you can win during life’s greatest battles. Only then can you have a healthy outlook on life, with the promise of endless possibilities.

 

Why you should be more reliant on yourself.

 

‘Self-sufficiency is a deep-rooted sense of completeness and stability.’ Dr. Steve Taylor.

 

Self-dependence weans you from being overly reliant on other people for your happiness and success. Being incapable of doing certain things for yourself gives other people too much power over you. It leaves you vulnerable. This is why people form unhealthy attachments to certain things or certain people. Never give people room to hurt or manipulate you by showing them that you cannot fully function without their help. Take responsibility for your life and make decisions that are best for you. You can take control of your life by acquiring skills that help you be more self-sufficient. 

 

For example, if you are too dependent on your partner in a romantic relationship, having them do everything for you, will be difficult for you to recover if that partner leaves your life. It is the same logic for reliance on drugs or alcohol. Once you remove them from the picture, you may fail to cope with certain things. If you are too dependent on your job, what happens when you get retrenched or when you cannot perform the duties you used to? What if the only solution available is resigning? What will you do then?

 

Self-sufficiency allows you to bounce back from any form of adversity. It may not prevent bad things from happening to you, but it gives you the strength to pick up the pieces and move on with your life. It gives you control over your emotions and how you react to negative circumstances. Above that, it helps you deal with failure more healthily. You get to be more compassionate and patient with yourself when you make mistakes, instead of beating yourself up and condemning yourself as a failure.

 

The link between independence and mental health.

 

Being confident makes you feel good about yourself. It boosts your self-worth when you know you can achieve anything you set your mind to. This promotes a healthy self-image. Instead of cowering back and living life in the shadows, you step out and do whatever it takes to make your mark.

 

Having that sense of self-worth and knowing that your life is meaningful promotes good mental health. The knowledge that you have the skills to make meaningful contributions in the workplace will make you confident to take on more tasks that challenge you. You become motivated to discover more of your potential. You volunteer to do the heavy lifting because you know that you have the strength for it. 

 

People who center their life on other people’s thoughts and opinions often pay for it mentally. They have little confidence in themselves and their abilities and often rely heavily on other people for guidance. This leaves them dissatisfied as they live according to other people’s standards instead of their own. Such people hardly make big decisions without consulting others, leaving room for self-doubt to rear its head. This leads to frustration and depression, as they fail to live up to their potential. It happens often that such people lose out on opportunities to do great things because they were more concerned with what people would think or say. 

 

Being self-reliant allows you the control you need over your destiny. You become bold enough to stand for what you believe in and cannot be swayed from your path. Even when the people around you doubt you, being self-sufficient gives you the confidence to give your most daunting dreams a shot. You take more risks, applying yourself to things that you would normally be too afraid to try. You do not give audience to the fears and insecurities of others when you have faith in your strength and capabilities. It is this attitude that leads to great accomplishments. It motivates you to aim higher and achieve more goals until success is a guarantee. 

 

Self-sufficiency has roots in self-acceptance. When you are sure of yourself and fully aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you learn to embrace who you are. Your shortcomings cease to make you feel inadequate. You develop a healthy self-image, viewing yourself as a person worth attention and respect. Self-love is a vital ingredient to overall health. Placing a high value on yourself teaches others to value you. 

 

Being self-sufficient contributes to your overall well-being. You develop a healthier image of yourself when you have control over your emotions, thoughts, decisions, and actions.

 

Being able to rely upon yourself- to admit that you and you alone handle your life- is a considerable step toward self-confidence and realizing your dreams. It is in your best interest, as it promotes a healthy mindset.

 

Self-Sufficiency Helps You Stay True To Your Purpose

If you asked some people today the reason why they stopped pursuing their dreams and the life they once believed in, you will learn from the answers why independence and confidence in oneself are important. You will discover that some stopped because they felt no one believed in their dreams or, they couldn’t get financial support until they felt they were now behind time. Some will also tell you that they’ve been let down enough to stop believing in the possibility of their goal coming true. Others will also tell you that the people they looked up to disappointed and killed the fire that once burned within them. One thing is common from the listed and similar answers; they did not believe they could do it themselves or that they could succeed in getting the life many people have failed to sustain. 

 

The big question following the scenarios is, what if you didn't have friends, family, or community from whom you expected to get models and support among other things? What would your excuse be? Would you just let life pass you by while you bury yourself in self-pity? Life will always be complicated and people won't always live up to our expectations. That is the reason we speak of self-sufficiency, one's ability to sustain themselves without the help of others. This does not relate only to monetary issues but mental, emotional, and behavioral issues as well. Where one has full control of all these aspects of their life, nothing can stand in their way. Living life the way they understand and want it gets easier. Below is how self-sustenance can help you stay true to your purpose:

 

1.  You define the world in your terms – self-sustenance allows you to create your world of possibilities not limited by other people's doubts and pessimism. The inherent mental strength in independent people allows them to question, filter, and use information and thoughts in a way that empowers them. They do not follow others blindly. Consequently, the only limits they have are those they set themselves. If you set yourself on a path of independence with this much inner strength, the only external influence that manages to bring about change in your life will always take you a step closer to your dream. 

 

2.  Immunity to peer pressure – sometimes people fail to live life to the fullest because they give in to pressure from their peers. Peer influence has led many to adopt questionable lifestyles and out of character as they try to fit in or be as "successful as others". By so doing, they abandon the path that is meant for them, a life that completes them, just for instant gratification. A sense of independence, self-sustenance, and valuing your unique qualities will help you understand the importance of choosing a path different from that of your peers. As a result, you remain at peace with progressing at your own pace, where seeking validation and support from friends would divert you or slow you down.

 

3.  Being in charge of your life – self-sufficient people do not need others to feel complete. They are psychologically and financially able to run their own lives and only allow other people in willingly. Thus, they control whatever happens in their lives rather than being controlled by circumstances. This much charge over your life makes it easier to stay on track because you do things the way they suit you and your dreams. It is almost impossible to be a pushover or have others use you for their gain if you know what you want and how or when to get it. Your priorities are in order and you limit other people’s access to you.

 

4.  Functional relationships – independent people with a purpose have relationships too. However, they are intentional in forming them. Most importantly, they do not establish or maintain relationships just to please people and try to fit in. Rather, they choose friends according to the value they bring into their lives. This keeps away distractions especially from unnecessary squabbles, gossips and bad influence et cetera. Where success is concerned, it is better to keep your inner circle smaller and more strategic. How many unhealthy or unpurposeful relationships have you kept at the expense of your peace or other valuables only because those people contribute something you think you need at that moment?

 

5.  Staying focused on your goals – although self-sufficient people do meet challenges too, they are more prepared to deal with them and keep moving. The psychological wellbeing aspect of self-sufficiency enables them to filter information healthily while it keeps them optimistic. Their mental strength helps them believe in their dreams and have confidence in themselves. To add to that, their ability to take care of themselves means they are free from pressure to do things a certain way and within a certain period even when it is working against them. All these keep the mind clear and focused on what matters.

 

The Importance Of Self-Sufficiency

Self-sufficiency as a way of life is not farfetched. It is just about people choosing to take full responsibility for their wellbeing including their financial, physical, and psychological needs without the help of others. This doesn’t mean that they do not need other people. Rather, contributions from others are limited as the person claims full control over their life. However, the ability to navigate through life with minimal ‘supervision’ and aid is demanding. In a world that is characterized by oversharing, exploitation in its various forms, indifference, and a poor economy et cetera, it takes a lot of discipline and mental strength to keep a level head. 

 

While many dread this path less traveled, it is proving to be the best for many who still pursue a decent and fulfilling life. Not everyone is cut out for this fast-paced life where people want quick results, 'freedom', money, and the picture-perfect kind of life. Highly publicized as the seemingly perfect moments of this 'high life' may be, it is often not a true representation of reality. Even if it was, what would be the meaning of life if we let others set the pace and define it for us? That is where self-sustenance comes in to enable us to get the life we would miss if we were to be less assertive in our way of life. It paves a way for the following:

 

1.  Control – self-reliance allows people to live and interpret life on their own terms. The ability to reason, assess situations and effectively make decisions, which they derive from the psychological part of independence, helps them retain their sanity even in the most challenging situations. People who are mentally weak and are emotionally immature are often controlled by circumstances and whoever they rely on. This makes following their dreams difficult as they allow themselves to be tossed to and fro. In some cases, it is as bad as having a partner dictate to the other how often they should leave the house, who they should talk to, and the type of career to pursue among other things. This leads to nothing but wasted lives and it happens when people lack confidence in themselves. They don't believe they can be anything more valuable without the other person. Being in charge of your life also protects you from exploitation.

 

2.  Peace of mind – the satisfaction people get from learning to be content with what they have as they do things at a comfortable pace keeps them at peace with themselves. Some people lack peace not because they don’t have enough to keep going. Instead, it is usually as a result of using others as their standard of success or they allow their acquaintances and family to put pressure on them. They feel like they have failed when they can’t keep up. Mental and emotional independence enable people to appreciate their unique journeys and handle delay, pain, and misfortune better. Also, mental and emotional maturity keep people from magnifying their problems, which minimizes anxiety.

 

3.  Staying true to your purpose – it is nearly impossible to know your purpose and stick to it if you rely on others for a sense of self and well-being. People who lack self-confidence and often seek validation are easily swayed to the side. They question their actions and the validity of their dreams which makes it easy for them to only have confidence in things that have been done or approved by the people they look up to or their peers. Living one's purpose requires the determination to live a unique life and being prepared to walk alone sometimes.

 

4.  Growth – in any area of life, there is no better way of learning than being hands-on. The same applies to personal lives. The best way to learn and grow is by being actively involved. First, it allows you to test your abilities and discover your strength by applying your skills and trying new things. This helps you know what to do to achieve your goals. Second, it allows you to test your strategies and make your mistakes which helps you improve your strategies and learn to deal with failure and other challenges.

 

5.  Discipline – self-discipline is one of the ways that are commonly used to identify people who have responsibilities. It is rare for people who have never handled responsibilities at a personal level to have self-control and willpower. Those who do probably have big plans for their lives and are planning to be self-reliant. Attempts at self-sufficiency force one to be disciplined especially financially and socially, which is a commendable character trait. 

 

6.  Healthy relationships – independent people often have the most genuine and successful relationships. This is often the case for friendships and romantic relationships. The goal is to find friends or partners they like and understand. It is not a secret that some get into these relationships seeking security and other benefits. Relationships formed on such a shaky foundation are often imbalanced and eventually turn sour.

 

7.  A sense of freedom – favors can be more binding than people realize. People can easily be manipulated by or made to feel they owe the person who did them a favor. It can also give such people a certain level of dominance especially if you keep going back to them for support.

 

Cleanliness is Next to Stresslessness

It may seem like a no brainer for some and a surprise for others, but stress is highly associated with clutter. While living with depression can often increase the risk of clutter, studies have shown that the more clutter you are surround in, the more stressful an experience you will have. Living and working in a clean environment is a surefire way to begin eliminating stress from your life. Whether it’s just tidying up more regularly or doing a major overhaul of your clutter, the moral of the story is the same. Less mess equals less stress. 

 

It can be frustrating for many to keep up on household tasks. This is especially true for people who live with others and have varying standards of cleanliness. A good way to address this issue is to assign those you live with specific tasks that you can work on so that the stress of cleaning up after others is eliminated as well as the messes themselves. 

 

If you find that you are struggling with people who don’t want to help you keep your environment clean, sometimes the best way to handle it is to take responsibility for yourself and yourself only. Clean your own dishes, do your own laundry, and claim a space for yourself that you can easily maintain without the interference of others. This will help you to wash your hands of a problem that can sometimes seem to have no solution. 

 

If you find it difficult to keep up on household duties and maintaining a clutter free environment, don’t worry. You’re not alone. You could very easily begin to improve. Take small steps at first in putting a system in place that you can maintain. If things are bad, start one room at a time until completion and have a plan ready to keep it maintained. Set rules for yourself using charts and planners and alarm reminders so you know that on a certain day you will be dusting and doing regular household upkeep.

 

Once everything is deep cleaned, then maintaining that standard can be as little as ten minutes per day if you break it up into a routine. Then once a month you can begin to do a deep clean so it gets easier and easier to stay on top of the clutter. 

 

Everything can benefit from having a good system in place. This can be especially true for motivated and busy people. If you are having a hard time juggling your responsibilities and tend to put cleaning at the bottom of the list, you’re not alone. However, it would significantly reduce the stress that you are experiencing if you move cleaning up on your list of priorities and develop a regular schedule for your daily routine that includes making sure that the spaces where you spend the most time are as clean as possible! 

 

How to Use Routines to Clear Your Mind and Reduce Stress

Routines are highly underrated. Most people who are portrayed in the media as having a good work ethic and who have high standards for their lives and environments are often teased as being neurotic or obsessive over details that don’t seem to matter. However, if you pay attention to the people around you, the more organized you are, the more you are able to get accomplished in the least amount of time with the least amount of stress. 

 

One mistake that obsessively organized people make is in sweating the small details if things don’t work out the way they anticipate the first time. Some people forget to leave room for error and may become even more stressed out if things don’t go exactly according to the plan. 

 

The act of getting organized and following the routine that you set for yourself is to reduce the stress in your life, not to cause it! Fortunately for us all, there is a middle ground that we can utilize. And the key thing to remember is that we have to be realistic in our goals and leave ourselves enough wiggle room that we can easily overcome unforeseen bumps in the road.

 

While it’s important to stay flexible, it is also important to keep up on the habits and routines that you are creating. When we build a habit, it is a way for our brains to get used to a new activity that can be stressful at first, but will ultimately be chalked up to autopilot. This takes much of the stress away from the activity itself because our minds already know what is coming and our bodies are used to the challenge, making it a comfortable part of daily life, even if the activity itself is not a particularly enjoyable one. 

 

Good habits do not have to be enjoyable for us to begin finding comfort in them. In fact, even doing unenjoyable things in a routine way can begin to feel satisfying. Even if we do not like the activity, like cleaning or taking out the trash for example, we can still feel a sense of accomplishment in doing them. We are rewarded in our brains for upkeep of a good habit, and once we get it over with then we don’t have to worry about it anymore. At least until the next time.

 

It causes incredible stress to the body to dread activities that are a constant part of daily life. Most times it is far healthier to accept that they are inevitabilities and to train ourselves to deal with them promptly and efficiently so that we can move on to doing the things we really enjoy. 

 

Accepting the things we must do and forming habits and routines around them takes the pressure of dread and anticipation away and frees up your mind for the things that really matter, like spending time with your friends and family and getting your personal goals accomplished. So embrace the power of routines today!

 

Meditation as a Way to Reduce Stress and Improve Your Life

Meditation is all the rage these days. So many people are taking advantage of its benefits and allowing it to work in their lives to create true change. For those who are skeptical about how sitting still in the quiet can help them, it may seem like a waste of time to sit around and be inactive for long periods of time when they could be going out there and getting things done. 

 

While it is fair to think so, the truth is that being still and completely quiet is something that is often missing from our daily lives. It can be impossible to give ourselves a chance to reflect on the things that are happening to us in the moment, which can sometimes lead to the wrong choices being made or inaccurate snap judgments occurring. 

 

However, when we utilize meditation as a way to improve ourselves and let go of things that can continue to trouble us, it can truly open our lives up for better possibilities. Stress is often a result of not having enough of a chance to sit back and smell the roses, so to speak. Relaxation can be a great way to improve your health and state of mind, particularly if you are the kind of person who rarely slows down. Meditation is a way to force yourself to make the time you need to make to let your mind shut down for a quick reboot so that your processing power is even more powerful. 

 

For the naysayer, meditation can prove to be productive as well. It doesn’t have to be a situation where you are simply sitting still on the floor wasting your time. It can actually be a great way to improve yourself and find solutions to problems that are plaguing you or your work. Meditations can be guided toward self-improvement, achieving success, and problem solving. Meditation can help us to focus on the things that we care about most and relax our minds enough to come up with the answers to very difficult questions and situations that might seem impossible. During the quiet of meditation, it is common for the mind to finally give us an alternative approach to a problem that we may be having. Something that might otherwise be impossible to figure out under stress.

 

It can be common for people to dismiss the idea that meditation can help you, but both scientific studies and successful people in all fields will say the same thing. Meditation works, and it can be an incredible tool for anybody who is seeking to better themselves and benefit their lives.