One of the reasons I created Here Comes the Sun was to help women.

To share stories.
To share information.
To make sense of some of the things we experience in midlife.

And even when the stories I share are difficult or emotional, I want you to leave each episode feeling uplifted, hopeful and positive about what’s possible.

Today’s episode is a follow-on from my previous conversation about self-awareness. If you haven't listened yet, please do, because, this episode, I’m assuming you’ve already started doing the work from the previous episode. By now you are becoming aware of your own tendencies and identifying those moments when you feel insecure, anxious, worried or stuck.

Once you've done this, you start to realise that so much of what you tell yourself every day is just your own internal script.

“I’m a worrier.”

“I can’t change.”

“I’m always late.”

“People always let me down.”

“I’m just not confident.”

“They don’t like me.”

Some of these beliefs and tendencies may have developed from our experiences and, at times, they may even be useful.

But others?

They’re simply patterns we’ve practised for a very long time.

And the most empowering part is that they don't have to stay that way forever. You can rewrite the script.

One of the techniques I talk about is changing the way we describe what we're experiencing.

Instead of: “I am anxious", try saying "I'm noticing anxiety" or instead of: "they don't like me", Try: I'm having the thought that they don't like me".

It sounds like a tiny change. But there is a difference between experiencing a thought or feeling and automatically treating it as a fact.

That little bit of distance can give you the opportunity to observe it rather than simply become it.

I also talk about meditation, breathwork and the physiological sigh, as well as using things like music, vision boards and mood boards to reinforce the mindset and identity you want to develop.

Because what you do a lot of, you get really good at (both positive and less positive).

And if you’ve spent years practising worry, insecurity or self-doubt, it makes sense that those states can feel familiar.

But you can begin practising something different.

A small change.
Every day.
Repeatedly.

And gradually, you can start creating a different roadmap for how you see yourself and how you respond to the world.

It’s your script. You don’t have to keep reading the same story. ☀️

Follow me on Instagram for more science-backed tips, techniques and advice to help you live a happier and more fulfilled midlife: @elizabeth_hammond_msc