What are you carrying?

In episode 29 of our podcast we share our thoughts on how belief misalignment (i.e., the beliefs or stories we tell ourselves that are not well aligned with the actual situation) can cause not only internal struggles but can also lead us to act in ways that work against our self-care. For example, believing that your availability equates with client care and extending your work hours in ways that work against your own wellness.

The good news is, however, that there is a powerful antidote to counteract belief misalignment and that’s discernment.

A couple of weeks ago we held the first of four Alumni Reset meetings and were delighted to have women join us from coast to coast. One of the ideas we discussed was how, throughout our careers, we pick up and accumulate a number of things (e.g., skills, beliefs, habits, mindsets, roles, responsibilities, etc.) that can influence our self-care and, in turn, our overall well being.

Some of these things are helpful whereas others are perhaps less desirable and have the potential to negatively impact our self-care. Misaligned beliefs would certainly fall into that latter category. And because we are human, it is simply inevitable that we will pick up some misaligned beliefs that work against our self-care.

So, the goal isn’t to never pick up these types of beliefs but rather to regularly take stock of what we’re carrying so that we can better discern what to hold onto and what to put down.

Although we didn’t discuss belief misalignment per se, the discussions at our Alumni Reset meeting reinforced the important role that both connection and courage play in the discernment process. Because when we have the courage to connect with trusted colleagues and start sharing our beliefs, we also open ourselves up to our common humanity and our collective wisdom, which, in turn, promotes a self-compassionate process of discernment.

So the next time you’re wondering if belief misalignment might be taking you away from truly effective self-care, consider leaning into connection and courage and you may just find yourself on the road to self-compassionate discernment.

Where will your reflactions take you?