The Silent Pandemic: Stop Sabotaging Your Happiness Today

Last week in the Self Improvement Room we discussed self-awareness and how being self-aware can help us recognise where our struggles are and how we can begin to overcome them. You can read that blog HERE and find out how you can use self-awareness to make lasting and impactful changes in your life.

For the past few months, I have been doing some research because I was starting to notice a pattern when having conversations with people, whether that be at the local cafe or restaurant, at a retail store, at the bank, on social media, basically anywhere you can strike up a conversation.

So then I decided to test it out with my clients, my young students and even my own children and sure enough it was there. I am convinced that this is a silent pandemic. Almost everyone that I spoke to shared the same perspective, the same mindset trait and almost the same language. I’m talking right down to the age of 6 and 7 being unable to find something that made them feel happy or positive throughout their day.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that life isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, it’s actually not meant to be, so I am not saying, “hey you should be positive every single day” it’s not about that, as much as it is shifting our perspective on life. Guiding our mindset towards one of abundance and optimism rather than scarcity and pessimism.

Where does your mind sit? What is your outlook on life? Do you focus on what you don’t have, rather than what you do have? Do you see the negative in most situations? Are you always thinking about your lack of money, or lack of time, freedom or friendships? We are constantly being sold the idea that happiness and fulfilment come from material possessions rather than from within. This creates a cycle of of constant dissatisfaction, whereas we strive to meet unrealistic expectations we become trapped in a pattern of self-doubt and self-criticism. Social media is a great example.

I used to be exactly like this too! I still catch myself heading down that thought process but I know it does me no good. It puts me out of alignment with the things that I want.

Your mindset whether positive or negative has a profound effect on your overall well-being. Where you choose to put your focus will determine your habits and then your overall values which mean, mindset plays a large part in shaping who you are.

When you choose to focus on what you don't have, and you live with a scarcity mindset, it can affect so many aspects of your life, including your relationships. It can create a sense of mistrust and insecurity. When you worry about not having enough, it can lead to jealousy, and possessiveness and you may struggle to trust your partner, which can then lead to conflict and resentment.

Pay close attention to all of the conversations you are part of and the ones you hear. Listen for the negative, pessimistic or scarcity language. If it’s you using it, pull yourself up and switch to something a little more optimistic. Remember, it’s not about going from where you are straight up to positivity. I realise and very much appreciate that positivity is not always the next step, in fact, I would say that it is often not, so for now, just try reaching for the next step, use slightly better language, and a little more optimism in your conversations and a slightly more improved mindset each day.

If you have children, pay close attention to their language and their conversations, you may notice that they are already starting to adopt this language. I am convinced that we are living in the midst of a silent pandemic and if we were all a little more self-aware and pay even a small amount of attention to a better mindset, then we would start to see a better world.

To hear this week’s listeners' questions, head to the Self Improvement Room PODCAST Episode #3. If you have a question, fill in the simple form below and tune into the Podcast to hear … www.thekristydavis.com/podcast

Join me in the Self-Improvement Room next week, same place, same time.

All it takes is just one small change each day!