Start by changing your thinking

You are the most important product of your life. Your beliefs select the reality you see. Make time to discover who you really are and live your own life, being true to yourself. Begin to make any necessary adjustments, today. You can make room for yourself in your life by keeping it simple. The greatest gift that you give to yourself and others is being you! Those who are attracted to you and therefore belong in your life are those who are responding to the real you.

You automatically move in the direction of your dominant thoughts, and this is where your behaviour comes from. Train your brain to focus on what it is you really want in any aspect of your life, as opposed to your “don't wants”.

How might you go about making you a priority and fitting life around this? Here are a few considerations that you may wish to include. Decide how you would know balance in your life. What would you see? What are the kinds of things that you would be saying to yourself and how would your inner dialogue sound? What kind of comments would others make? Notice the difference in how you feel. Perhaps there is a general sense of lightness and calm and a knowing that you can positively manage life's challenges?

What tangible actions can you take? You may want to turn to others for added support. Notice what works and be prepared to make adjustments regularly along the way. Remember to celebrate your successes.

• No matter how many times you catch yourself thinking about your ‘don't wants’, ask yourself the question, ‘What do I want instead’ This will encourage the mental gymnastics required to force your mind to focus on your wants and help to stop the ‘Dirty Wash Cycle&rsquo going round and round giving you more of the same! With a bit of practice and repetition, it will become second nature. After all, you don't expect the perfect body after your first workout at the gym!
• Build in ‘me time’ and enjoy the pleasure of your own company. It may only be up to an hour, daily, but it's time when you enjoy simply being. This may include taking a long, luxurious bath; listening to soothing music; or taking a walk in the park, along the beach, in the woods or anywhere else that gives you that feel-good factor.
• Close your eyes for a few minutes and allow your imagination to take you to a peaceful and happy place that you love. Invite the calm and relaxing memories into your mind and soak these up, as if you were back there right now. Look around you and notice the scenery and colours and anyone or anything else that surrounds you. Make the picture even brighter and put in as much detail as you can. Be aware of any sounds and inviting smells, too. Notice how your body is relaxing into the serenity and peacefulness of this experience. It's a great way of re energising and bringing balance back into your busy day.