Present Moment Awareness & Authenticity

Optimal well-being and happiness can only occur when two things are present and prioritized: you’re living in the present moment and you’re embracing your most authentic self. When we experience pain, shame, programming, and trauma early in life, we unconsciously know what is needed to keep ourselves safe. This often looks like suppressing parts of who we are, becoming more agreeable, or developing patterns of self-doubt and hesitation. These patterns we learned and adapted to survive often continue, even when they’re no longer serving us.

The brain is wired to detect and avoid threat, so it continues to run these familiar patterns, even when the “threat” is no longer present. Over time these thoughts, emotions and behaviors become automatic, to the point that they feel like our identity, rather than learned responses. The cool thing is, you don’t have to think or react how you have always thought and reacted. The brain has the ability to learn new responses and you absolutely possess the capability to change. 

“You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become.” You aren’t your thoughts. You are the conscious awareness behind your thoughts. Choosing responses you are proud of requires present moment awareness to recognize when you’re about to repeat a pattern you no longer wish to run. When you do catch yourself in the moment, use this thought-reframing mantra: “Park-it and Replace-it,” which will cue you to compassionately acknowledge the pattern, then consciously redirect your attention or response to something more positive and empowering.

You can’t use a skill you don’t intentionally work on. Like any skill, it takes consistent, deliberate practice to be able to catch yourself in the moment and redirect yourself. You’re not going to get it perfect every time, and in fact, changing what you’re noticing will be uncomfortable. Don’t get discouraged for not being great at it right away. Each time you don’t get it right is an opportunity to learn something new and try again. With repetition, these intentional shifts will reshape automatic patterns your brain tries to play out and will increase your capacity to respond effectively. This will allow you to live in the moment, in closer alignment with your values, and most importantly in authentic expression of who you are.