1 billion adults suffer from anxiety, depression and conduct disorders.
This is what our children are learning from us. And it’s likely we learned this from our parents.
I can tell you that I was one of those billion adults.
For years, I suffered from feelings of anxiety, depression, low self worth, guilt and anger.
I learned these emotions from my parents. Now, please don’t misunderstand me. My parents are good people. I love them. Sometimes they were great parents and sometimes they sucked. They’re human beings.
Looking back on my childhood and early adulthood, I see that there are few things I picked up:
Being idle is a sign of laziness
Money is hard to come by but will bring happiness
People with money clearly don’t deserve it
If I were anyone else, I would be happy
Children are a burden
A perfect house shows love
Sacrifice your happiness for your family but make sure they feel bad about it
I can go on and on. If we’re not self aware, we can allow ourselves to repeat the same patterns our parents taught us. They didn’t know. They did the best they knew how. But know this... everything I just listed are lies. Lies we tell ourselves. Lies we are told. They’re just personal definitions.
I didn’t become self aware of these crippling beliefs until after my daughter died and I was divorced. My kids were at their Dad’s and the sudden stillness of the house literally woke me up. There was a spot light on my unhappiness. I had been living my life with these beliefs. Burning myself out trying to keep a perfect house while working my ass off on my business and a full-time job. My kids always seem to be bothering me. Imagine the guilt I felt when my oldest daughter fell ill with cancer. It was just one more thing.
I had been running at 150% and then a harsh realization hit me... I was unhappy. I was dissatisfied with my life. I felt lost. I truly didn’t know what brought me happiness anymore. Who was I? What do I do now?
I was clearly in a crisis that I knew I needed to address.
Are you struggling to find your own happiness?
I want to share with you a TEDx Talk by Jacqueline Way called How To Be Happy Everyday.
I wish I had watched this video when I was struggling to find my happiness.
This video inspired me to write this Daily Confidence series. This is my way of contributing to my happiness everyday.
Enjoy the video.
Talk to you tomorrow!
*HUGS*
Jen Thoden
PS. Sharing is giving which is just good karma. Share this post so that others can benefit from this positive message. Thanks in advance :-)
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