Positivity

sleep & rest

dancing

grounding yourself in nature

deep breathing

stretching

social connection

spending time in the sun

meditating

journaling out any thoughts

exercise & sweat

do you sometimes tend to react out of anger or emotion but then later wish you would have handled things differently?

well, thankfully knowing the difference between reacting vs. responding can help you, not just in heated situations but in all situations and conversations. it'll show that you're a person of elegance, thoughtfulness, and maturity. so, here's an explanation of both and a guide on how to apply this to your life effectively:

·˚ ༘ "When you react, you let others control you. When you respond, you are in control." - Bohdi Sanders ·˚ ༘

REACTING:

an immediate & emotional reply

instincts and conditioned behavior take over

no second thought for whether the reaction will have a negative or positive outcome

comes from a place of defense and possibly fear

ᡣ𐭩 reacting is instant and often driven by emotion, it's like a reflex. reactions don't involve much thought, like snapping at someone when you're upset. reacting tends to lead to escalated situations which leads to unintended consequences.

so next time you're stuck in traffic or there's a long line at the store you really wanted to buy something from, pause and acknowledge your emotions. say to yourself "this is not in my control but i will do what is in my control". and this could involve calmly finding a new route to take to avoid heavy traffic or just deciding to order online from that desired store. think logically! 😊

RESPONDING:

you evaluate the situation and slow down

you can identify and become aware of unpleasant emotions

weighs long term effects

comes from a place of love and respect

shows you are mindful and have self control

ᡣ𐭩 responding, on the other hand, involves pausing, assessing and choosing the logic/right course of action. it shows that you are secure within yourself and thoughtful. RESPONDING = UNDERSTANDING

so next time someone criticizes you or you get into a disagreement, always PAUSE FIRST, acknowledge that whoever is criticizing you is coming from a place of anger and insecurity, then calmly respond by saying "i'm sorry that you are frustrated, could you explain your concerns further?" and go from there. a simple understanding goes a long way. it doesn't only help the situation but it leaves you with a good self conscious.

another great way of responding is to simply walk away!

in my control

my actions

the way i respond

my values & goals

my boundaries

my beliefs

my choices

my perspective & mindset

what i take responsibility for

what i focus on

how i spend my time

how i engage

in my influence

my health

my wellness & wellbeing

my connections

relationship dynamics

my reputation

certain aspects of the future

my energy

my environment

my finances

not in my control

the past

my memories

regrets

others feelings

others thoughts

others words

others beliefs

others behaviors & responses

politics

world conflict

aging

illness

loss

the weather

Self-abandonment means not taking care of yourself, your needs, and your feelings. It's like ignoring what's good for you and not being kind to yourself normally in a way that benefits everyone but you.

Not eating well or exercising.

Pretending to be happy when you're not.

Working too much without breaks.

Staying in a bad relationship.

Letting people use you.

Forgetting about things you enjoy.

Not saying what you want.

Always doing things for others.

Not asking for help when you're sad or stressed.

Being alone when you need friends.

Saying mean things to yourself in your head.

Giving up your dreams for others.

Avoiding problems instead of solving them.

Never taking time to relax.

Ignoring how you look or feel.

Not asking for help when things are too hard.

Trying to be perfect all the time.

Doing things that hurt you, like drugs or danger.

Changing who you are to fit in.

Not being yourself and doing what others want.

Ignoring your body when it needs rest or sleep.

Letting others make decisions for you all the time.

Keeping your feelings bottled up inside.

Surrounding yourself with people who bring you down.

Not pursuing your interests or hobbies.

Saying "yes" to everything, even when you're overwhelmed.

Putting up with disrespect or mistreatment from others.

Not giving yourself credit for your accomplishments.

Skipping important appointments or check-ups.

Holding onto grudges and negative emotions.

Comparing yourself unfavorably to others.

Not taking breaks when you're stressed.

Neglecting your financial well-being and overspending.

Ignoring signs of burnout or exhaustion.

Avoiding seeking help for mental health struggles.

Ignoring your own intuition and gut feelings.

Overcommitting and spreading yourself too thin.

Constantly seeking validation from others.

Letting fear hold you back from trying new things.

rotting vs resting

there’s a fine line between giving yourself the rest you need and slipping into a cycle of neglect

resting is recharging. rotting is escaping

resting feels nourishing. rotting feels numbing

resting is taking a break to come back stronger. rotting is staying stuck in the same loop

resting is letting yourself exist without pressure. rotting is avoiding the things that would actually make you feel better

resting is choosing peace. rotting is letting exhaustion make choices for you