Tag: sleep

Is it a problem?

~ The Healing Modalities ~ Leave a comment

It doesn’t have to be.

Our brains are wired to spot danger—it’s how we’ve survived for thousands of years. But sometimes, that instinct works too well. We turn neutral situations into problems, even when no real threat exists.

Something only becomes a problem when we decide it is.

And once we do? We start overanalyzing, “fixing,” and stressing—making it feel even more like a problem.

Take trouble sleeping. Is it actually a problem? Not until we tell ourselves it is. We lie there thinking:
🛑 Ugh, I have to wake up early.
🛑 If I don’t fall asleep soon, tomorrow will be ruined.
🛑 Why does this always happen to me?

That frustration creates tension, making sleep even harder. But what if we thought:
💭 I’ll fall asleep when I do. My body will get what it needs.

Less stress. Less pressure. More ease.

We can ask this same question in so many areas of life:

  • What if feeling sad about this outcome isn’t a problem?
  • What if waking up in the middle of the night isn’t a problem?
  • What if what that person said isn’t a problem?
  • What if the number on the scale isn’t a problem?
  • What if missing him isn’t a problem?
  • What if her anxiety isn’t a problem?

This isn’t to say that nothing should be a problem. This is to remind us that HOW we are thinking about something can make it seem like a problem. WE are creating the problem with our THINKING. 

We can remember that all of our thoughts are choices. And we can choose our thoughts on purpose. 

When we stop labeling things as “problems,” we create space for acceptance. And paradoxically, that’s what makes real change possible.

Because if the number on the scale isn’t a problem, maybe we’d actually make healthier choices from a place of self-care instead of self-criticism.
If waking up at night isn’t a problem, maybe we’d relax enough to fall back asleep.
If missing him isn’t a problem, we’d allow the feeling without letting it hold us back.

So, what if it’s not a problem? What if there’s nothing to fix?

Your turn: What have you been making a problem? What if it’s not? What would you think instead? What would you do instead?

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Work with me: Want to see how self-care is transformative and can help you create the results you want in your life? I can show you how. I offer first-time seekers a complimentary 45-minute exploratory session. Sign up here.

What’s on your mind? It can be powerful to learn from each other and our common struggles when it comes to our practice of self-care–or just being a human being. If you have something you’re struggling with and would like some perspective, share it here. Your issue may be chosen and addressed in the next post–it’ll be totally anonymous.

What if it’s not a problem?

~ The Healing Modalities ~ Leave a comment

Let it be.

Because our human brains have evolved to help us survive, we are still very aware of things that pose potential threats. But sometimes we like to create problems when there really aren’t any. Something only becomes a problem once we THINK it is one. 

And when we make something a problem, we start thinking of all the ways to “fix” it—which is really only worrying about it and making it even more of a problem in our minds. 

For example, if we’re having trouble falling asleep, is that a problem? Not until we think it is. We might feel frustrated that we can’t fall asleep. We might tell ourselves why it’s so important that we get the right amount of sleep. We create a “bad” story about our sleep, which creates anxiety ahead of time. This does not help us fall asleep faster. 

Instead, we can also think, “I’ll fall asleep when I do and I’ll get the amount of sleep my body needs.” Less of a problem now.

We can practice asking ourselves, “What if it’s not a problem? What if there is no problem and nothing to fix?”

What if:

  • – Feeling sad about this outcome isn’t a problem?
  • – Waking up in the middle of the night isn’t a problem?
  • – What that person said isn’t a problem?
  • – The number on the scale isn’t a problem?
  • – Missing him isn’t a problem?
  • – Her anxiety isn’t a problem?

When something isn’t a problem, we often feel more acceptance around it. And paradoxically, when we accept something, we are more open and willing to take aligned actions for ourselves. 

So if the number on the scale isn’t a problem, maybe we’d be more willing to make healthy choices. If waking up in the middle of the night isn’t a problem, maybe we’d be able to fall back asleep again. If missing him isn’t a problem, we can allow the feeling and still live our lives the way we want to.

So, “What if it’s not a problem? What if there is no problem and nothing to fix?”

Your turn: What have you been making a problem? What if it’s not a problem? What would you think about instead? What would you do instead?

Subscribe if you want to receive this content directly in your inbox.

Work with me: Want to see how self-care is transformative and can help create a more meaningful life in which you start committing to yourself and show up the way you want? I can show you how. I offer first-time seekers a complimentary 60-minute exploratory session. Sign up here.

What’s on your mind? It can be powerful to learn from each other and our common struggles when it comes to our practice of self-care–or just being a human being. If you have something you’re struggling with and would like some perspective, share it here. Your issue may be chosen and addressed in the next post–it’ll be totally anonymous.