Limiting beliefs

Last week I was challenged by not feeling well. Nothing serious, just a cold but it made my energy level low and my brain foggy. I did have some things planned though and I struggled with cancelling them. I am the type of person that if I commit to something, I have to show up. In my opinion that is a good thing. But apparently that is no matter the costs, my cost, because I was hesitant to cancel even though I didn't feel well. This resistance to cancelling got me thinking about my beliefs and boundaries.

First of all, I noticed that I don't call myself sick when I have a cold. Although I had a running nose, rosy and warm cheeks and a foggy brain; I have a cold, I am not sick. So, I wondered; when I do call myself sick? Conclusion: when I feel extremely miserable and not capable of doing anything except laying in my bed and even that should be hard to manage. Anything before that state I would refer to as 'not feeling fit' which means I can still manage life and show up.

Interesting is that somewhere along the line I have decided that I need to be sick before I can cancel anything and not feeling well doesn't qualify for bailing. It is not how I was raised, as I was a sensitive kid and allowed a day at home once in a while to recover and recharge. Even though I don't know where it comes from, more important is realizing what my current belief is and, in this case, deciding to redefine it. Because for who do I show up if I am not feeling well? It might be a sense of responsibility, but in that case a misplaced responsibility to someone or something outside myself, crossing my own boundaries.

That I would cross my own boundary by going I could make out of the fact that I liked to cancel and have a quiet evening for myself and go to bed early. In my last blog I shared listening to yourself, it helps you see what is important to you and steers you in the direction of your path or keeps you on it. Boundaries work the same way, they guide you in taking care of yourself. They come in play in relation to others, how much of yourself are you willing to invest? When do stand up for yourself? How do you allow yourself to be treated by others? Becoming more aware of your boundaries helps you to care for yourself and with that, care for your relationship with others.

I decided to cancel and take care of myself first. When the decision was made and action taken, I felt relieved. I was feeling the love I showed myself by listening to my body and caring for it by taking a rest. I relaxed on the couch, went to bed early and already felt much better next morning.

Becoming aware of your beliefs and change them if they are no longer serving you, is a tough process, but it is very rewarding when you complete it, one step at the time.

Do you have a limiting belief you want to change?

With love,

Anne