I’m over being overwhelmed, over being tired, and over feeling like things are falling apart. I’m over it!
And yet, this annoyingly optimistic voice of my Inner Being tells me to keep the faith, that I’ll get through this. Coincidently, this is the voice I’ve fined-tuned myself through paving new neural pathways in my recovery and ongoing management of C-PTSD. There is a contradiction of the things not in my control and feeling anxiety against the mental backdrop of healthy mindfulness I’ve created over the last 5 years.
This consciousness that I CAN feel better, the past voice of shame telling me I SHOULD feel better, and my deep inner knowing that this is growing me, is aggravating.
As much as I review a list of unhealthy coping mechanisms at my disposal, (and there are many!) it’s this optimism that keeps me going. Even the small or hard-to-find pockets of it on difficult days.
When the facts seem to be waging war on my feelings, I find bombarding my awareness with positive messages is the way to go.
The voices of those who have come before me, who also faced monumental challenges and used their personal growth and resilience to overcome, keep me going. The hope they present by sharing their story, the stories of those like me, and the tools that got them through become a metronome, keeping the rhythm of my life so that positivity becomes a greater life theme than pain.
I dedicate my consciousness to what I consume online.
By choosing to “like” and follow posts and pages that make me feel good, the algorithms give me more of that positivity. Not unlike our perception of our world, what we focus on grows. Who knew algorithms could be a physical model of the attraction of energy through physics?
I’ve been leaning way into positive messages lately. And much like my love of people from the Midwest, too do I love positive mindset influencers from the Midwest.
Here are my 3 favorites:
- Oprah was born in Mississippi; however, she built a massive empire in Chicago so she counts as Midwest to me! She began the SuperSoul Conversations podcast and video series several years ago. Oprah has the clout to interview incredible spiritual leaders as well as authors, world leaders, and artists. Every story leaves me leaking from the face and filled with hope that I too can overcome.
- Lewis Howes still exudes Midwest authenticity and kindness even though he has lived in Los Angeles for many years now. It’s no wonder this “kid” from Ohio has created a platform and podcast that emulates Midwest values. As a man, he acknowledges the social conditions that leave men having to put on toxic masculine personas and makes a space for men and women to find healing and joy. In his podcast, The School of Greatness, Lewis hosts guests from every walk of life and helps them share their stories to enrich the lives of others.
- Mel Robbins, from Kansas City MO, is a household name in self-improvement and mental mastery. Direct and simple, she discusses complicated psychology on her YouTube channel in a way that makes it accessible and I always feel educated and empowered after watching her videos. I feel like Mel and I could grab coffee, she’d tell me a bunch of uncomfortable truths about myself, and then she’d hold my hand while we made a plan to make me better. Yes, that’s what’s it is like to listen to Mel! She has a ton of content on YouTube and started a TV show with Sony; you can catch those episodes here!
P.S. Most of these videos and podcasts touch on hard topics you may not be ready to unwrap with your kids. You may want to wear some headphones or screen them before you start playing them on family car rides!
Check them out! Let me know which you like best and any you’d add to the list!
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