When springtime comes around, we begin to see the greenery and lushness around us. The sun starts to shine, and flowers are in bloom. Many of us experience the springtime within us at other times of the year.
Throughout different points in our childhood, we are taught to rely on others to help us, nurture us and provide direction to our lives. Into our early teens and as adults we are expected to move from interdependence into decisiveness without really being taught how. Then as adults, we are to become experts or rely on the expertise of others to guide our lives. However, in our development, we miss an essential lesson which is trusting ourselves and our instincts. As we grow through different phases in our lives, we become different versions of ourselves. We live many lives as we become who we will be.
Our individual growth also has an impact on not just ourselves but the world around us. Think of yourself as a plant. When you are nourished with light and nutrients you rise and share your nutrients with the ground. You even may feed other plants. You give oxygen and keep others alive. But what happens to a poorly cared-for plant? They seem unsightly. Can kill off other plants. Some carry disease which can spread. Plants, unlike people, don’t doubt their growth.
To trust ourselves we should ask ourselves questions that we strengthen our growth and build our self-trust.
What do you like about yourself? Start by making a list of the things you enjoy about yourself. Similar to trust in others, you would not put trust someone you didn’t like.
When do you celebrate yourself and your accomplishments? Even something as simple is as looking yourself in the mirror and saying “Job well done” is a small celebration for you to acknowledge overcoming or growing from something. Remove the idea that humility means you can’t accept praise, even from yourself.
Where are the receipts for when you made good decisions? Identify those times when your instincts were right. Look at the moments when you had an idea or thought that lead you to make a decision based on your instincts.
What about the time when your instincts didn’t work? Acknowledge that sometimes bad decisions do happen. Don’t minimize these instances but rather look at them objectively and remember you learned a lesson from it. Don’t let it define you but rather shape your decision making.
Would you allow someone to talk to your child, friend or cherished family member poorly? If no, then do not allow this for yourself. Your self-talks can either help or hinder your growth. When you trust in yourself and your instincts you will find that you continue to bloom, much like a healthy plant.
About the author: Brandy Collins is a Bay Area native living in Scorpio magic, observing of the world, and telling stories about people in random places. Follow on twitter @gurl79 or Instagram @story_soul_collecter