A New Beginning: Overcoming Stress and Embracing Positive Change
It all begins with an idea.
written by Jasmine R. McKinney, LPC, NCC
It all begins with an idea. A dream. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, it takes courage to turn this idea or dream into something more. Reality. In this blog, I will share my personal story of how a health scare became the catalyst for my new beginning.
The Wake-Up Call
It began with chest pains, shortness of breath, and an overwhelming fear that the worst was happening. January 2023 was off to a rocky start. Undergoing multiple tests, overnight stays in the hospital, and being away from my precious family, all due to stress. However, the full workup concluded that I was in good physical condition and stress can make you feel like you’re having a heart attack. This realization made me question my life choices and motivated me to take a leap of faith to start anew.
Confronting Fear and Doubt
I’m grateful for all the career opportunities I've had in the past, but my dream has always been to work independently in private practice. Still, the question lingers: would I have started this journey if my health scare hadn't happened? Fear can manifest itself in many different ways, leading to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and thoughts that hold us back. If we choose to let it. Fear can contribute to our unhappiness and to a degree, justify our need to settle for what we have instead of facing fear head on and unapologetically as we reach for our dreams.
The Real Effects of Stress
Stress is real, and its effects can be debilitating. Burnout, guilt, anxieties regarding performance in all aspects of life, feeling overwhelmed and depressed, and experiencing physical symptoms like chest pains, dizziness, aches, pains, nausea, low energy, headaches are just= a few signs of stress. Stress can affect the entire body, our emotions, behaviors, thinking ability and physical health. No part is immune to the effects of stress.
Empowering Yourself to Manage Stress
How do we empower ourselves to manage stress before it’s out of control like a train careening down the tracks? Not to mention the guilty feelings about taking time off, taking a break to catch your breath, relax and reset, when there is so much to do, when you’re already so far behind on multiple tasks. Learning and putting to practice a few of tips and strategies for asserting your needs, setting boundaries, and developing positive thinking patterns is a start. It’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to say “no.” Saying “No” to extra work or things that can wait or be delegated. Develop positive thinking patterns. Stinking thinking is a habit that can be unlearned and replaced with more positive and rational thoughts that are helpful and healthy. Build a positive and supportive network of people and allow yourself to rely on them when needed. If by now you’re saying, “My guilty feelings won’t let me do any of this!’ My response to that is, good for recognizing this and let’s explore it together, because you deserve a peaceful mind that isn’t beating you up all the time. Recognizing that there may be more to it and willing to be brave and vulnerable to explore and improve your mindset will help you implement these tips and any other stress management strategies out there.
Embracing a New Beginning
By sharing my personal experience, I hope to inspire others to confront their fears, recognize the need for change, and take the necessary steps towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Embarking on a new beginning requires courage, self-reflection, and a willingness to make positive changes. By managing stress, overcoming fear, and embracing a supportive network, you can take the first steps towards creating a new and fulfilling chapter in your life. Remember, it's never too late to start anew.
Be happy. Be well.
Jasmine