How To Let Go Of Control

I get it. You had a bad day yesterday and you said some things to your partner that you really regret. Or maybe you're financial situation isn't great and you're wondering if you will get a call for that job interview. Either way, you are constantly living in the past or the future.

Most people are like this and that's perfectly natural. Actually, it can be beneficial! Thinking about the past can help us learn while thinking about the future can help us prepare. The problem is when we are living more in the past or the future and less in the present moment.

The reality is that we are going to make mistakes and there is always an element of uncertainty with regards to the future. That is life. But if you want to really live and enjoy life, you need to let go and enjoy the ride.

I'm telling you to let go as if it's that simple. It takes a lot of work. Fortunately, I have some tips that might be useful.

1. Bring yourself back to the present moment

When you find yourself thinking about the past or future, come to the present moment. You can do this by consciously putting all your attention on what you are doing; you can close your eyes and listen to your breath; you can also try really observing your surroundings.

If you make this a daily practice, it will eventually become second nature. You will find yourself living more and more in the present moment each day.

2. What you're worried about is not the end of the world

When we are anxious about the future, it's probably because we are in resistance to a potential outcome. But 95% (if not more) of what we worry about never actually happen. Also, would such an outcome really be that awful? You're not going to die if you fail a test and your life will go on if you do not get the job.

3. Find a hobby

Better yet, find a passion. Something that you can put 100% of your time and energy in. This will help you get your mind out of the past and future and into the now.

4. The Universe works in your favor when you allow

You attract what you are, not what you want. If you are worried, anxious and uncomfortable about the unknown, you will attract more of this into your life. Tell the Universe that you allow whatever might be and that you are competent enough to handle any outcome thrown your way. If you can do this, you will find you are attracting more positivity in your life. And when "bad" things happen, you will handle them with grace. Not only that, you will be able to see these negative situations as a learning opportunity or as "meant to be".

5. Follow a spiritual path

What's spiritual for me may be different than what's spiritual for you. And I'm certainly not trying to be pushy. But a huge part of spirituality is learning to be mindful, accepting and in the present moment. It has really helped me learn to let go of my need to be in control. I feel less anxious and happier.

You can start by reading a book or watching a documentary on spirituality or trying out yoga or breathing techniques. It can be as fast or as slow of a progress as you like. Either way, I guarantee you will reap benefits.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe you receive notifications when I upload. And check out the discussion forum I have created!

Here is a link to the discussion forum:
Discussion Forum

Here is a link to my previous blog post:
How To Get The Body Of Your Dreams | Feature The Law Of Attraction

A Cause Of Anxiety No One Talks About | Your Intuition

I was shopping yesterday and I overheard a conversation between two people. I'm not sure exactly what they were talking about but the woman said something along the lines of this: Listening to my intuition was a skill I needed to learn. It was challenging and it took some time for me to learn how to listen to my gut feeling.

That struck me as odd. I grew up with an intuition so strong that it felt like it was pulling me in a certain direction. I can't quit explain the feeling. It just exists within me, I guess.

But this got me thinking about my own experiences of following (or not following) my intuition. I started to see a common thread.

A few months back, me and my friend made plans for a road trip. Just a few days before we were suppose to leave, I worked a 48 hour shift which left me one day to prepare for a wedding and our trip. The next day was a family wedding and the day after that me and my friend were scheduled to leave.

I got up that morning to pack. I knew I didn't want to go. I knew I was exhausted. But I started packing anyways. I began to have a panic attack. I felt overcome, sick stomach, my heart started to race. All I wanted to do was climb in bed and cry.

I knew what I needed to do. I texted my friend and told her that I could not this. Fortunately she understood and went on without me. Upon cancelling my plans, my anxiety immediately lifted. I felt energized and exhilarated.

I'm not sure why but I was compelled to stay home that day. I don't know if it was because, as an extreme introvert, my body, mind, and soul was craving downtime. Or if it was because I needed to do something else such as work on my blog. Or if I was sensing a bad situation by going on that road trip. The possibilities are endless and I will probably never know.

The anxiety I experienced in that moment let me know full well what I ought to do. There was no second thoughts. No questioning the situation. I knew I needed to cancel my plans and I did just that.

This isn't my first time with this experience though. I remember me and my boyfriend were trying to decide between two apartments. One apartment was cheaper and more modern than the other. So it was kind of a no-brainer. We went with the cheaper, nicer looking apartment. I called the landlord and I told him I would be by with the damage deposit.

After the call, I had feelings of anxiety. That apartment, the landlord, or something else did not sit well with me. And I couldn't get the other apartment out of my head. I called my boyfriend in a state of panic and I explained the situation. I told him the idea of signing the lease gave me anxiety and made me feel stuck. He said "well, let's go with the other one then". My anxiety subsided after that.

My intuition does not always present itself as anxiety though. Sometimes it's just a feeling of knowing.

I do believe that everyone has a strong intuition. But I think a lot of people have become disconnected from themselves which results in them not understanding why they are experiencing certain sensations and feelings.

And I believe episodes of anxiety can often be the result of people not listening to their intuition.

I don't have any advice on how to become more in tune with yourself. This is because I never actively sought out how I should do that. But I know that I have done things which have certainly contributed to me understanding myself more. I will look into this further and share another time.

Right now, the only thing I want you to understand is that you do have a gut instinct. Everybody does. And if you have seemingly random episodes of panic or anxiety, there is a possibility you are not listening to your intuition.

Let me know what you guys think. Are you naturally intuitive? Or is this something that you have to work on?

Thanks for reading. And please share with someone you think could benefit from this :)

Ang

Here is a link to my previous blog:

What To Do When You Feel Jealous | Fast & Easy Way To Stop Feeling Jealous

More on anxiety:

Why You Will Never Be Completely Free Of Anxiety

Instant Cure For Anxiety | Quick Tip Entry # 4

Instant Cure For Anxiety | Quick Tip Entry # 4

It seems that everyone deals with anxiety nowadays. And for good reason.

We live in a faced paced society. We are more connected with electronics than each other. Our diet isn't the best. We are living to please other people (i.e.; our boss, spouse, parents, etc).

These are a lot of things to change. It could take months or years. And maybe some people can't (or won't) change them.

That's OK. For now, I have an easy and instant solution for anxiety.

Odds are, you're feeling anxiety because of something that may happen. You're thinking about work the next day. You're worried about your exam next month. You're nervous about Tuesday's presentation.

It's OK to feel anxiety over these things. It means you care. If you had a neutral reaction, you may not prepare for your exam or show up for work!

But anxiety is still not a nice feeling. Especially when it keeps you from living in the present moment...

I think I hit the nail on the head that time. "It keeps you from living in the present moment".

My response to that? Put yourself in the present moment. Turn off electronics and get rid of distractions. Sit down and really put all your attention on what is happening right now. The sounds, sights, taste, smells, and feels (LOL). Tell yourself that you are in the present moment.

It takes some practice. You may feel a little uncomfortable at first. But once you really grasp what it means to be in the present moment and do it on a regular basis, you will start to feel better.

For me, it feels like my anxiety instantly disappears. It may come back again a little while, but I'll just bring myself back to the present again. :)

And remember. Just because it doesn't work the first time doesn't mean that it will never work. It's a practice. Keep at it.

Ang

Check out the link to my past previous:

Easy Way To Overcome Difficult Times

If you're interested in learning more about anxiety, check out the following links:

Why You Will Never Be Completely Free Of Anxiety

Does Your Job Give You Anxiety? Don't Distract Yourself... Do This Instead!

Does Your Job Give You Anxiety? Don't Distract Yourself... Do This Instead.

Hi everyone.

Sorry for being MIA the past week. There has been changes happening in my day job. I went from working 6 to 8 hour shifts most days to working 24 hour shifts two or three days a week. It took sometime to juggle my blogging schedule with my job.

So let's get right to then shall we?

Speaking of jobs, the sad reality is that people need, or at least think that they need, to work to make money to survive.

The sadder reality is that the vast majority hate their jobs or they would much rather be doing something else.

I often hear people say they can't sleep well the night before their shift; their 12 hour shifts make them sick with anxiety; their boss treats them poorly and they leave work feeling drained; and most of all, they are on the count until their next day off only to repeat the cycle on Monday... or whatever day of the week you go back to work.

What kills me about the situation is that nobody should need to wait for time off work to feel happy or have fun.

But most people do and they don't realize there is something else out there.

My work situation is a little different. I don't hate it. But it is a stressful field which causes me to feel anxiety prior to my shift. Also, I'm away from home for 24, sometimes 48 hours, at a time. I would definitely rather be home with my boyfriend, painting, doing yoga, and blogging.

But I am near the end of my weekend and just up to when I started working on this blog, I felt anxiety. The anxiety was so bad that I just wanted to sit and cry. Is there anything I can do?

Yes. The answer to that question is yes.

Usually when I feel anxiety, I look for distractions. TV, games, company. Anything to distract my mind and keep me feeling numb

But what is that doing for me? Is it serving me in any way?

In the long run, no. t's not.

I believe that anyone and everyone can create a lifestyle for themselves. A lifestyle where they can get paid to do what they love.

Am I doing that now?

Yes!

I'm not at the point where I can quit my job and live off of the income from my blogs. Nope but I am on my way.

So what does that have to do with anxiety?

Instead of letting anxiety consume you, let it fuel you.

The anxiety I felt early fueled me to work on my blog. To work on it harder and to work on it more often.

Not only is it taking anxiety from me in the moment, I am also working on and growing my dream. This reminds me that the current situation is only temporary because I am working on manifesting my dream job.

You should try it too. I promise you will feel amazing.

Let's both to do it together and fly!

Get in touch with me. What is your dream? I encourage you to work on it... like, right now!

How did you find this blog? I hope it inspires you.

Ang

Check out some of my other blogs.

Here is my previous post:
https://confessionsofanawakenedyouth.blogspot.ca/2017/07/how-i-get-over-bad-day-featuring-law-of.html

If you want to learn more about manifesting your dreams, read this:
https://confessionsofanawakenedyouth.blogspot.ca/2017/04/an-inspirational-blog.html

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram if you are so inclined. Click the icon in the top right hand corner and you will find the links! Please subscribe by clicking the "subscribe" link at the top of the page.

Also, my uploading schedule was Wednesday and Friday. This isn't going to change but I am also going to upload on Sundays as well.

Namaste.

Why You Will Never Be Completely Free Of Anxiety

Even though I have come a long way, I still have anxiety. Or at least, I can have anxiety. Let me explain myself.

I was always a basket case growing up. I think I felt anxious more than I felt calm. But in my early 20s, I experienced a shift which is what I share on Confessions Of An Awakened Youth.

But these Spiritual practices that I follow does not mean that I am 100% anxiety free. You must know that you will never find a solution to get rid of anxiety. Why? Because some anxiety is normal. I'll explain why through example. 

Imagine that you are walking home alone at night and you see a short cut which involves walking down a dark ally. You don't get a good feeling about it and you start to feel anxious. That's good! The anxiety will prompt you to be alert or find an alternative way home. Anxiety can save your life. Why would you want to get rid of that?

 For the rest of our lives we are going to be faced with uncertainty which will involve some degree of anxiety. The good news is that you can live a more care free and happy life than an anxious life. It's how you respond to anxiety that is key.

A couple hours ago, I was faced with uncertainty and technically I still face it. What triggered my anxiety involves my job so I don't want to get into details about it. But I felt myself rise and even panic. I wanted the matter addressed ASAP and I wasn't going to relax until it has been resolved. But it's Friday evening and there isn't anyone to help me until Monday.

Do I really want to be anxious for the rest of the weekend? Am I really going to let this take me from the present moment over the next couple of days? 

No.

I took a step back and looked at the outcomes of the situation: 1. the situation is resolved in my favor and 2. the situation is not resolved in my favor. 

Obviously the first outcome is the most desirable. But it's the uncertainty of the situation that causes the anxiety. And what happens if outcome number 2 comes to fruition? Well, I'll just deal with it. The world won't end. It will be OK. It's always OK at the end of the day. I am capable and strong even to handle any situation that comes my way. And so are you. 

You must be mindful. You must be in the present moment even if (when) anxiety rears it's ugly head. 

I hope this blog helps with your anxiety. If nothing else, I hope that it encourages you be mindful and feel fearless. It's a liberating thing when you can face your anxiety.

Thanks for reading,

Ang

Other meditation blogs you may like:

Don't Have Time To Meditate? Read This! https://confessionsofanawakenedyouth.blogspot.ca/2017/06/dont-have-time-to-meditate-read-this.html

Meditation For Dummies
https://confessionsofanawakenedyouth.blogspot.ca/2017/04/meditation-for-dummies.html

Want To Let Go Of A Thought, Fear, Or Worry? Read This For The One Thing You Need To Know.

You're worried that you won't have enough money to pay the bills next month? Accept it.

You haven't been feeling well lately. You think you might have cancer and you only have a few months left to live. Maybe so. A lot of people die of illness.

Your partner has been distant. You keep thinking that they are having an affair with one of their coworkers. So what? You will be able to find someone else too.

Have you ever had a thought, worry, or concern take over your life? Maybe it was one that I mentioned. Maybe it was something else. Either way, it takes over your life. It's literally all you can think about.

You probably google signs and symptoms. Maybe you keep replaying a scenario in your head over and over. You keep making assumptions.

I have been in this situation for almost my whole life. It gets to to the point where you would do anything to have a peace of mind. To get your life back.

I know that my responses to the above scenarios sound harsh. But this, acceptance, has been a pivotal point in my life.

I believe one of the reasons that we keep obsessing over things is because of the uncertainty. Not necessarily the outcome itself. And this uncertainty causes us to conjure up the worst case scenarios. I guarantee that if one of those situations were true, we would handle it with courage and confidence. People do all the time.

If you really want to put your worries/obsessions or whatever you want to call them to rest, you need to do one thing: accept it. Yes, it's scary and yes, it takes a leap of faith. But just try it. Look at all the possible outcomes to your troubles (good and bad) and accept them. Tell yourself that if this is how it's going to be, you will handle it. Remind yourself that the world will not spin out of orbit if your fears come to fruition. Tell yourself you will worry about it once it actually happens (it usually doesn't). People are put in challenging situations all the time. You (and me) are no exception to that. You just got to deal with it.

Once you accept all the possible outcomes, anxiety about the unknown goes away. It has no choice but to. They are polar opposite ways of thinking and feeling.

Accepting the unknown outcome was what really allowed me to change my thought process. It gave me so much mental clarity. I never thought I would make it to this point. But I did and you can certainly can too.

I hope you find this helpful.

Ang

I wrote another article on a similar topic. You might find it helpful:
https://confessionsofanawakenedyouth.blogspot.ca/2017/04/do-you-have-repetitive-distressing.html

Do you have repetitive, distressing thoughts? Read this.

There you are. Minding your own business when a thought pops into your head. It could be anything. Then suddenly, a feeling of dread comes over you. The thought is ridiculous. You know that. But it will not leave you. For as long as I can remember, I had these crazy fear-inducing thoughts. They would never leave me! And when it finally did, another thought replaced it.

I remember feeling miserable in high school. I lost interest in just about everything. I felt little joy during Christmas or during other exciting times. I had a tightness in my chest and I remember going home from school with panic attacks. I believe I started to feel depressed.

I always hoped that this was a phase and that when I become an adult, it would go away. Well, in my early 20s these distressing thoughts still raced through my mind. Coincidentally, I majored in Psychology. And I do believe in every way that it was meant to be. I remember studying Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). A certain component of the disorder caught my attention. OCD may be characterized by intrusive, obsessive, and often disturbing thoughts.

I could write a book about my experiences and the sequence of events that helped me gain control of thoughts. Instead, I have complied a list of what helped bring me back to reality.

1. OCD is a mental illness

There is nothing actually wrong with you for having distressing thoughts. Just because you thought of your spouse getting into a car accident does not mean you want them to die. Understanding that this is a disorder helped me so much.

2. Acceptance

This one was scary for me. Let's say you're worried you have a terminal illness and you have 6 months left to live. Accept it. I would tell myself that whatever will be, will be and I will deal with it when (or if) it ever happens. Spoiler alert: it never happened.

3. The majority of what you dwell on don't actually happen.

Just know that not one of my obsessive thoughts ever became a reality. And 90 odd percent of obsessive thoughts do not become a reality.

4. Everyone's brains are weird

Everyone in the world has had weird thoughts pop in their head. You are not alone. But people with obsessive-compulsive tendencies will dwell on these thoughts. But your thoughts does not equate with reality. They... are... just... thoughts.

5. Talk to a professional

I know, it's awkward, "Hey doc. So, I had a thought of a baby's butt and now I'm worried I'm a pedophile". But talking to someone who understands may be the best thing that ever happened to you. I wish I had seen a professional. I could have put all this in the past a long time ago.

6. Your brain is like a muscle

Spend too much time fixated on a thought, and that thought will become stronger than even. This goes for recovery as well. Breaking bad habits takes time so don't expect a complete change overnight. Keep practicing and eventually you will be able to control your thoughts and anxiety.

Becoming worry-free was so surreal. I took on new interests and hobbies and excelled in school. Something I didn't do before because my thoughts would distract and drain me.

Do I still have OCD? No, I don’t think so. Thoughts and anxiety no longer negatively affect my daily life. Do I still have obsessive-compulsive tendencies? I do. But the more time that passes, the stronger I become.

I can't wait for you experience that moment when you realize you are finally on your way to becoming worry-free. And I hope this is the beginning for you, if you haven't started already. And when feel yourself sink back into your thoughts, I hope you remember something  I said and brings you back to reality. Back to living and just being happy.  

Angie

Meditation Diary: Entry No. 1

I started meditating at around 10:50 PM. It was the deepest meditation I have ever experienced to date. While in a meditative space, I could see and feel the “space” that was behind my eye lids expand. I felt like I was in a different world. I concentrated on this without any thoughts interfering. I could also feel my third eye opening which is something I often experience. It’s like tingling sensation or a pressure close to the center of my forehead. I could clearly feel the blood flowing through my veins and my heart beating. It was pure bliss and I did not want to stop. I meditated for about 50 minutes. This was the longest time I have ever mediated. It did not feel that long though. Time seemed to escape from me during this period.

I think I may have been entering the astral realm. I would sink deeper into myself and I remember having this feeling of my body and soul/spirit separating. I cannot explain what this felt like. It was more of an intuitive feeling. I had a few fleeting images of myself as I was during this state as well as the sky and lights. This, however, did not last long.

As one would expect, I felt calm and at peace when I came out of meditation. However, very shortly after I started to become very aware of my own body and it felt like I was out of reality. I began to have distressing thoughts. What if the mediation caused this? What if I never feel calm and at peace again? These thoughts along with my already anxious state transpired into a panic attack. I felt like I was back where I started (I dealt with panic and anxiety my whole life). I couldn't make sense of what was happening.

I decided to do some research and I became bombarded with articles about the “negative” effects of mediation. My mind ran away with some ridiculous ideas which only exacerbated my panic attack. I slept on it, did a bit more research, and vented to my dad. I came up with a few ideas as to what was happening.

1. The first explanation is that I simply started over thinking, as I often do, and my body responded with anxiety. It had nothing to do with meditation and was merely a coincidence. Pretty basic and self explanatory.

2. The next explanation is that mediation can bring to surface suppressed anxiety. Anxiety that we have not come to terms with. This happens so that we can come to terms with it, put it in our past, and move on. It’s an emotional, mental, or spiritual detox if you will.

I feel that explanation 2 is more likely because of the way I choose to handle the situation. In the past, I would have let anxiety take over me or try so hard to suppress it. This time was different. I acknowledged that I was feeling anxiety but I did not attach any reason to it nor did I attach myself to it. Similar to what happened to me during mediation, I separated myself from the anxiety. Something that I was unable to do, nor would I want to, in the past. The symptoms of anxiety and panic slowly started to subside and I could feel myself come back to baseline which actually felt a little more relaxed than what it usually does. Yes, this was an uncomfortable experience. But with it, I feel like I am stronger mentally and spiritual.

August 1, 2016

A Morning Routine That Eases Anxiety

Have you ever been woken from your sleep to anxiety? I have. This morning, actually. What a great start to your day. Yes, that was most definitely sarcasm.

I was off the past 3 days. I woke up before my alarm clock eager to start my day. I wrote, danced, played, and spent time with friends and family. It was pure bliss.

Then I woke up Monday morning with a racing heart, knots in my stomach, and a tightness in my chest. I had to go back to work. Now, don't get my wrong. I am not in a dead end job making minimum wage. I am so grateful for my job. But at the same time, it does not compare to spending time at home doing whatever you want. And don't get me started on those 12 hour shifts!

We all have to do things in life we rather not do. That's the reality for most people, whether it's temporary or not. With that being said, I have conjured a routine and habits so that these things do not take away from my happiness. I will share these with you. 

I usually don't work until later in the afternoon, so I do them in the morning when I wake up. I urge you to do the same. Make time. Make time for yourself. It's so important.

1. Show gratitude

Whether you're going to work or school. Maybe you love it, maybe you hate it. Show thanks. Not everyone is fortunate enough to do what you are doing.

2. Your situation is only temporary

You are not going to be in school forever and you don't need to work in your current job forever. If you are down because you want more out of your life, understand that your current situation is only temporary and that it is guiding you to where you need to be. 

3. Meditate 

I meditate for about 20 minutes. This helps bring me back to the present moment as opposed to focusing on something that hasn't occurred yet (such as my 12 hour shift tomorrow). 

4. Eat well

What is healthy for me may not be healthy for you. But taking the time to prepare a healthy meal is a great way to make yourself a priority. Plus, it gives the proper fuel for the day and so much more. Eat and eat well!

5. Find something to look forward to

This can be yoga, art, sports, or more meditating. I would stay away from media (television, Facebook) and stay within the realm of creativity. This will give you sense of purpose and achievement. Who wouldn't look forward to that after a day of work?

If your current situation gives you anxiety or causes you to feel down, know that you are not alone. 

I hope that these suggestions inspire you and help motivate you. I also challenge you to get creative and incorporate some of your own tips! 

Sending positive vibes your way,

Ang