Friday Five: Five Ways to Change Your Perspective During a Pandemic

Every week that passes, I feel like it deserves a new level of celebration. This week of quarantine feels especially hard. I think a host of emotions but mostly a longing for normalcy, which got me thinking a lot about normal. And really how we can change our perspective during the middle of a pandemic. 

Normal that I long for feels an awful lot like going back to the ‘good days’ we’ve had. 

This is a common thought in times of pain – if only we could go back to what once was. 

It’s past-tense thinking. And not to lecture here, we’ll save that for a podcast or something, I do think it’s important to challenge that thinking because it feels heavy and potentially unnecessary. What if normal didn’t automatically stimulate thoughts of ‘what was’ but ‘what could be?’

It might seem like not a big deal, but I think if we spend too much time dwelling in what used to be, or even how you used to look or how much you used to weigh, you set a bar that will never be achieved because it happened in the past. It’s past-tense thinking. 

But if you move that to what could be, even if that’s different than what was, it doesn’t mean it’s worse. If you switch your focus from what has happened behind you to the potential of what’s ahead, you may just find the best is yet to come. 

And I don’t mean to sound cliche in any of that. But I’m questioning if my drive for normal, wishing for how life used to be, is preventing me from living a better life in the future?

What I hope is you’ll question your definition of normal and open up to the idea that a new normal could be better. A change in perspective can really change everything.

With that here is my Friday Five as it relates to 5 simple shifts to change your perspective.

5 simple shifts to change your perspective

I saw this graphic the other day on social media, and it struck a chord with me. I think it’s easy to feel like you have to have one strong opinion in one direction, which means you must be entirely insensitive to the other opinions.

But I want you to know it’s okay to feel a host of different emotions all at the same time. It’s okay to live in the middle, and that’s where I stand. I hope it helps you too. 

With that, there is one thing you have to remember; the only thing you can control is your mind. You can control your thought patterns and your perspective. It’s not to say that you shouldn’t allow yourself to feel a certain way, and you certainly shouldn’t shame yourself for it, but you can acknowledge how you are feeling and then redirect our thoughts. 

Here are five questions to ponder when a thought captivates your mind:

1. Is this thought true? 
2. If it is or isn’t true, is it helpful? 
3. If the thought is not helpful, what can I redirect my mind to focus on? 
4. Where is this thought coming from? Is it coming from a stored trauma or belief? 
5. Can I verbalize or write out the negative thought and release it to be filled with something else? 

Remember, even if it’s true if it’s not helpful, then what good is it? Don’t let a bunch of cynical, untrue, and harmful thoughts run your mind because those thoughts will always turn into action – creating the by-product in your body. Trust yourself and fill your mind with truth. It will change everything. 

5 things I’m loving

1. The yellow shirt I posted in this vulnerable post is amazing, and I want every color.
2. My kids are always asking me to color with them, and I can’t deny how enjoyable it is with these printable coloring pages.
3. I’m always getting questions about protein powder, and I finally found one I LOVE. The wild strawberry is delicious.
4. My back has been so tense, and I started using this again. Worth every penny!
5. This song is on repeat in our house – such a gift during this season. 

5 ways to get energy without eating it

I’m thinking about doing an energy series this summer on the podcast. How to live with more energy? What do you think? Let me give you a preview – energy management changes your immune system, your metabolism, and even how much time you have or don’t have. It’s mindblowing work, and I think it could be incredibly powerful – but I want to know your thoughts? 

Maybe this will spark your interest, here are 5 ways to get more energy without eating it. 

5 foods I’m batch cooking this weekend

Have you experienced batch cooking yet? I’m getting so many testimonials about how it changes people’s week. Getting ahead and eating healthy doesn’t just mean cooking full recipes, but batch cooking different ingredients and layering leftovers into healthy meals without spending endless hours in the kitchen. 

It’s a game-changer! If you have no idea what the batch cooking system is – get the full guide + four weeks of specific recipes and how to use the batch cooked ingredients all week long RIGHT HERE!

1. Spiral Pasta {I use this brand}
2. Easy Homemade Pesto
3. Shredded beef {slow cooking a beef roast}
4. Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies {Asparagus, sweet potatoes}
5. Healthy Granola with Superfoods – for morning smoothie bowls

5 healthy recipes I’m loving

1. Healthy 5- ingredient Nutter Butter’s to satisfy your sweet tooth.
2. 20-Minute Spinach Artichoke Gnocchi that is so divine and so healthy.
3. No-Boil Pasta Bake making weeknight dinners quick and easy.
4. Crispy Crusted Chicken that my kids ask for weekly!
5. Cheeseburger Quesadillas – need I say more?

happy weekend

Don’t forget – changing your perspective can change everything. Even on social media. And can we talk about how training social media can be? Don’t forget to take a 24-hour social media sabbatical to give yourself a rest and fill yourself up with truth.  

xoxo