Repetition is a huge aid in shifting your mental story

Alexis Rae Baker

Dear Lexis:

I started a new job as a delivery driver recently and on my first day, I noticed some words and images rubbed into the dirt on the side of the delivery vehicle. While seemingly insignificant, the message was pretty clear. 

The image was someone flipping off viewers and the words read “I suck.” Very negative all things considered.

And while I didn’t find myself particularly disturbed, it did get me thinking about how easy it is to fall into a negative pattern. Or, how easy it is to become the person who draws these things in the dirt on their vehicle. 

I’m trying to make sense of this, remain thinking positively and hoping you can offer some guidance.

          ~  Delivering Positivity

Dear DP:

What we tell ourselves every day has a huge impact on the rest of our life will play out. The individual who drew these didn’t have the greatest message playing in their head.

This is a prevalent problem. Learning how to change the story can be difficult though. 

Repetition is one of the greatest tools for change. While it can take a while to have a significant impact, repetition is hard to beat when it comes to effectiveness. So while you can change things with tools like meditation and hypnosis, repetition is what I’m going to focus on today. 

So, if you want to change your story, try these methods of repeatedly exposing yourself to a more positive message.

Write on the bathroom mirror

This is a practice that has spread throughout my family over the past few years. Both my parents and my sibling all live in houses where you can read the mirror. Every message written says something positive like

• “You are loved”
• “You are worthy”
• “I am enough” or
• “I am worthwhile” 

You can choose the message that you want to see, but take advantage of your morning routine and utilize your mirror as an aid in your personal growth.

Set up regular, daily texts

While you will have to find an app or computer program to do this, setting up a daily text can be extremely effective. For a while, I had one set up to send to both my husband and myself.

The interesting thing about this is that you are likely to reach a point where you just dismiss the texts. However, even without reading through each text, the routine is enough that you will automatically take a moment to consider positive thoughts. 

Work with someone else

Having someone else to hold you accountable has proven effective time and time again, so feel free to consider utilizing this method for improving your personal story. Work with your husband/wife or someone else that you see regularly. Tell each other the story that you want to replay in your life and then, when you see each other, repeat the process. 

Repetition is a huge aid in shifting your mental story, and changing your mental story is the biggest key to changing your life. The way we view our lives and circumstances determine how react. How we view ourselves determines how we treat others.

Don’t be okay with living your life in pain. You have the power to make your day, and your life better. Embrace repetition and see what it can do for you. 

Best wishes,

          ~ Lexis

Lexis is Alexis Rae Baker. She writes from her home in Olympia.   Got a question about life, relationships, spirit?  Visit her at lexisrae.com or write to Lexis at  Lexis@theJOLTnews.com