MENTAL More vs. Less alternatives. Granted, I’m no expert… These are all just thoughts and ideas. No one should attempt to do it all. Simply put the pieces together to craft the complete puzzle that best fits you!!

Mental Health

Focus more. Multitask less: Just like most things, when it comes to life… you have to be PRESENT to win. Sure… a cape is a gorgeous accessory, but can we REALLY do it all? Of course we can, but perhaps… just perhaps we should attempt to complete one thing at a time. Focus on the moment. Be fully open. Be totally present in each individual moment!! Focus. Give all of yourself, 100%. It is soooooo easy to lose sight of what is important. If you focus on the wrong thing… it will kill you (emotionally, mentally and perhaps spiritually speaking anyway).

Adore more. Berate less: The MOST IMPORTANT relationship you will ever have in this lifetime is the one you have with yourself!! Communication is key to any successful relationship… do you hear the internal tape playing in your head? The trick is to turn negative self talk into affirmations. Awareness is the first step to success… YOU are responsible for what you do, think and feel. If things are icky… well, it is all about perception, right? You wanna be miserable? Ok then… continue down your current path. Wanna be happy? Give yourself an attitude adjustment, make a change, flip the switch and soon you’ll be whistling a cheery tune!!!

Socialize more. Isolate less: Build a community of support. Take comfort in your inner circle of close confidants, yet build a larger sphere of influence. Go out… spend time, take a walk, have a drink, talk… build relationships. These connections are powerful and necessary to fulfillment. Sure, we sometimes need to seclude ourselves to decompress and reboot, yet once that time is complete be sure to reconnect with your loved ones!!

Laugh more. Worry less: There is truth in the saying “laughter is the best medicine” – if you find you’re stressed out then start laughing. Seriously. Force yourself to laugh. It feels weird at first, but it will boost positive endorphins. Those fighting illness have been advised to saturate their free time with watching comedies. The laughter helps release toxins. “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It drains today of its strength.” – Mary Engelbreit.

Meditate more. Chaotic less: Spending time by yourself may seem daunting, yet is it one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Enjoy the silence. Many start their day in solitude, in stillness, in meditation. Sit. Quiet. Rest your mind. Drink a cup of tea or coffee. Soak in the relaxation and order up your day. No matter what time of day you practice the mind-body connection or what type of practice you select… you cannot go wrong with providing your mind the daily TLC it needs to stay healthy and vibrant!!

Dream more. Bored less: Live your life by following your dreams… no matter how lofty they may seem to everyone else!!! What is your bliss? “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life” – Harvey MacKay. Find your passion and you will find you spend less time bored out of your mind searching for something else to do instead. If you’re not sure what your passion is then pay attention to where your mind goes when it wanders and pay attention to what you tend to do when you’re procrastinating – both will give clues as to what you should be doing with your time and life.

NO more. Stress less: Commitments lead to change. All too often we overwhelm ourselves with too many commitments. The most powerful word in the world is NO!! Many fear using the word will lead to disappointing others. Change your life. Flip the script. “Say NO out of love rather than YES out of fear!” – Suze Orman. Sometimes what we do NOT do is every bit as powerful as what we DO!!!

Learn more. Covet less: Green with envy? Happens to the best of us, right? How often do we look at someone and want what they have? The next time you’re jealous of someone, STOP and think. It may seem they have more luck, more talent, more money, more opportunities, or more “whatever” – just know things are not always what they seem. Instead of thinking the grass is greener… take the necessary steps to care for your own lawn!!! Appearances mean nothing. People only show you what they want you to see. So, the person you WISH you were more like… the life you WISH you had… the body, the looks, the career, the family, the money you WISH you had that others have??? Well, be careful what you wish for because it may be more than you ever bargained!! Everyone has issues, challenges and obstacles. Different doesn’t always mean better!! Your struggles are yours for a reason. They hold YOUR lessons. Learn and be grateful. Learn and move on…

Finish more. Start less: With so many balls in the air… how are we to catch them all? Ask for help. It is a misnomer that asking for help makes you weak. In fact, it takes a strong person to assess a situation, recognize a need and reach out to others for assistance!! Also, many do not seek help because they do not want to be a burden to others. Consider this… We all want to be needed, have purpose and aid those we love… so why not allow a loved one to do this for you? If someone asked for your help… what would you do? Help. Gladly, right? It is not how you start… it is how you finish that matters!!

Understand more. Ignore less: Once you TRULY open your mind… you open your life!! Once completely open… the capacity is vast!!! Explore. Fill. Absorb. Fill. Obtain. Fill. Experience. Fill. It will astound you!! P-R-O-M-I-S-E. Often when we don’t understand something… we ignore it. NO MORE!! Seek understanding.

Release more. Clutter less: As a rule… Only keep what you LOVE and USE. Everything else… goes. Rid yourself of clutter and you will be SHOCKED at the positive impact on your mental, spiritual and emotional well-being!! The items around you carry energy. Keeping what you love and use will boost positive energy in your environment. In life we often need to clean house… and take out the garbage. Clutter-no-more!

Self more. Stretch less: Put yourself FIRST. Just like the flight attendants advise, “Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others!” When we put others first we often stretch ourselves thin; therefore, straining ourselves beyond our limits. Carve time out for YOU… build yourself up, so there is more of you to go around!! When you’re happy, healthy and calm then you can give more… when you do give of yourself to others.

Ultimately… life is about learning. When you learn, share it. Teach others. If you want to make a difference… start in your own home!! Lead by example. We all make mistakes. Experienced success. Loved. Lost. Given. Taken. Good. Bad. Right. Wrong. And through it all… live with no regrets!!! Believe in the power of your dreams!!! DREAMS… Motivate. Inspire. Enlighten. Yep, live a life of gratitude and be thankful for every decision you’ve ever made in your life. You are SOOOO much bigger than your circumstances!! You have choices. Choose wisely. You’re talented. Cultivate your skills. Create a future that has nothing to do with your past or present circumstances!!! Make your mark…

© Renae Rossman and Candy Coated Reality™