Relieving Your Self from Persistent Negative Ruminations: A Guide
Woman finds solace in self-awareness and mindfulness amidst life's ups and downs
Jen Picicci, an artist pursuing a more intentional life, shares her journey towards inner peace and calm as she navigates the challenges of everyday life. In her recent personal essay, Picicci candidly reveals her struggles with reacting negatively to small incidents and her commitment to finding a calmer, more centered mindset.
Initiating her explorations in self-awareness, Picicci found herself reflecting on a conversation with her husband about leaving a cutting board in the sink. While her husband's words were merely an attempt to offer helpful advice, Picicci's immediate reaction was one of defensiveness and bitterness. However, she recounts, a recent episode of a podcast on letting go had equipped her with strategies to manage her thoughts and emotions more effectively.
In that particular instance, Picicci maintained her composure, responding to her husband's remarks without creating tension. Yet, she confessed that it is not always the case, as she often reacts negatively to seemingly insignificant matters, despite embarking on a spiritual path and striving for personal growth.
Picicci's most recent experience with her husband, involving a disagreement over toothpaste, demonstrates her ongoing internal battle with negative thought patterns and reactions. In such moments, she acknowledges that her tendency to become defensive and critical may indicate larger underlying issues, such as stress and overwhelm.
Despite her setbacks, Picicci highlights the importance of returning to stillness as a means to access her true self and make decisions with a clear mind. She relays that three deep breaths and a mindful awareness of her thoughts have proven beneficial in helping her remain calm and composed.
Picicci also draws attention to the practice of naming her emotions as a way to maintain a distance from her thoughts and counteract their power over her. Additionally, she advocates for self-reflection and acknowledging when she is spiraling or feeling self-pity, helping her to gain perspective and strengthen her resolve to let go.
Asking herself whether a particular issue will matter in the long run, Picicci asserts that this question allows her space to move on and not be consumed by inconsequential matters. Despite the importance of addressing more significant concerns in life, Picicci emphasizes that it is crucial to let go of the negativity that can strain relationships and hinder personal growth.
Looking back on her younger self, Picicci reflects on a situation where she stormed out of a job in response to resentment and anger. While she acknowledges that leaving might have been the right decision, she wishes she had handled it with more grace, allowing for self-reflection and stillness.
In her pursuit of tranquility, Picicci calls for a conscious effort to separate oneself from negative thoughts and maintain a more intentional lifestyle. By finding stillness, practicing self-care, and nurturing both mind and body, Picicci believes she can move closer to a more peaceful existence.
Jen Picicci is a passionate artist who uses art as a vehicle for positivity and inspirational growth. For more information about her and to receive a 20% discount coupon, visit www.jenpicicci.com.
[1] Huffman, D. M., O'Keefe, J. H., Schwartz, G. E., Atkins, K., & Huang, Y. (2009). Effects of 4 versus 20 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on working memory. Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience, 9(01), 45–48. doi:10.3758/CABN.9.1.45
[2] Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. doi:10.1093/clipsy.bpg015
[3] Lau, M. L. W., & illustration by A. Kitmacher. (2010). The Art of Mindful Breathing. Greater Good Science Center.http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/art_of_mindful_breathing
[4] Thich Nhat Hanh. (2016). The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully. Riverhead Books.
[5] Wohl, C. D., & Ariely, D. (2010). The role of placebos in treatment behaviours: The case of operant conditioning. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49(3),173–183.doi:10.1348/014466510X12687629932209
[1] Picicci's personal growth journey includes a focus on mental health and wellness, as she actively seeks strategies for managing her emotions, such as the methods discussed in Kabat-Zinn (2003) and Thich Nhat Hanh (2016).
[2] Additionally, Picicci incorporates a mindfulness approach to fitness and exercise, as suggested by Lau (2010), to maintain a calm and centered mindset during her workout routines.
[3] In line with her holistic approach, Picicci also prioritizes nutrition as a crucial component of self-care, acknowledging the connection between health and wellness.
[4] Furthermore, Education and self-development play a significant role in Picicci's journey, as evidenced by her ongoing exploration of science and spirituality, following studies by Huffman, O'Keefe, Schwartz, Atkins, & Huang (2009) and Wohl & Ariely (2010).
[5] In her pursuit of personal growth, Picicci emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, self-awareness, and intentional living, drawing inspiration from various sources, including her art and the values she promotes through her work.
