Why can't I exercise like everyone else?
It's too hard→I choose to move
I understand that my mother never exercised, and I copied her because I wanted to feel connected to her and loved by her. I realise now that I can love her and be loved by her whether I copy her or not. I choose to exercise when I want to, and I will not lose love for choosing my own way.
Why can't I keep the weight off?
Hold on to it→I am safe
I understand that I learned to hold on to food and weight as protection, because there were times it felt like there wasn't enough. I realise now that I am safe and provided for. I can let my body find its natural balance, and I am no less protected for letting go.
Why do I freeze when someone is loud?
Don't move→I can respond
I understand that raised voices once meant danger, so freezing kept me small and safe. I realise now that loud is not the same as unsafe, and I am an adult who can choose how to respond. I choose to stay present and breathe.
Why do I hold tension in parts of my body?
Brace yourself→Let go
I understand that my body learned to brace in the places where I held what I couldn't say or feel. I realise now that I no longer need to carry it to stay safe. I choose to soften, release and let my body rest.
Do you feel you're not enough?
Not enough→I am enough
I understand that I believed I had to earn love by doing more and being better, because that is how love felt when I was young. I realise now that my worth was never up for negotiation. I am enough as I am, and I choose to treat myself that way.
Do you believe you're not creative?
Don't stand out→I create freely
I understand that I was told, or shown, that being creative was a waste of time or got me noticed in the wrong way. I realise now that creativity is my natural state. I choose to make, play and express myself without needing permission.
Do you struggle with eye contact?
Look away→I can be seen
I understand that being looked at once meant being judged or in trouble, so looking away kept me safe. I realise now that being seen is not dangerous. I choose to meet people's eyes and let myself be known.
I never have enough money.
Never enough→I have enough
I understand that I grew up hearing and seeing that money was always short, and I took on that worry as my own. I realise now that it was their story, not my destiny. I choose to believe there is enough for me, and I welcome money into my life.
Rich people are so up themselves.
Rich is bad→I can be rich and kind
I understand that I learned to judge rich people so I could feel loyal to where I came from. I realise now that having money does not make anyone good or bad. I choose to see people as people, and I allow myself to have wealth and stay true to who I am.
I wish I could be rich.
Not for me→It is open to me
I understand that I learned to see wealth as something for other people, something to wish for but never have. I realise now that I am allowed to want more and to create it. I choose to take steps towards abundance instead of only wishing for it.
I don't see why people need to be so close.
Keep away→I can let people in
I understand that closeness once felt unsafe or unavailable, so keeping my distance protected me. I realise now that I can choose who I let in and how close they come. I choose to open up at my own pace and enjoy connection.
They are looking at me because I've done something wrong.
I'm in trouble→I am safe to be seen
I understand that when I was young, being looked at often meant I was in trouble, so I learned to expect blame every time someone noticed me. I realise now that a look is just a look. I choose to feel safe, relaxed and confident when people see me.