5 more tips on how to transition from worrier to WARRIOR

(and why being a warrior has nothing to do with war)

Two weeks ago I shared a few practical ways to shift from being a worrier to a warrior. I have a few more for you today – once again, these are things that I’ve personally found really helpful. You may find a fair few of them quite unconventional, but I invite you to keep an open mind. We live in extraordinary times that demand we reinvent ourselves to some extent. That involves entertaining new ideas and trying new things, while always taking responsibility for our own choices.

Before I jump in, a note about my use of the word ‘warrior’. Being a warrior doesn’t necessarily mean being against something. Resistance is extremely draining – you may have noticed this yourself in the last couple of years. When I think of myself as a warrior, I do this in the context of being for something. I am for personal sovereignty, freedom of choice, integrity, transparency, kindness to all beings, and so on. This is what gets me enthused and excited each day: I know that together we are shaping a better way of living, being, and doing.

In fact, my first tip today is a perfect example of how being a warrior does not have to mean going to war…

See yourself as an expectant mother

Recently, I was speaking to a colleague who was feeling really down and disempowered about the state of things. I shared with her that as women, we can always remember that we have the extraordinary ability to carry, develop, and feed new life in our bodies. It’s a superpower, and I’d like to extend this idea to everyone, irrespective of gender: whether you’re able to physically give birth or not, you are part of a collective rebirth, a renaissance. You are bringing in new life, new ways of doing things – and so, I invite you to imagine the beautiful future you want and to prepare for it as if it’s your first baby. Do as an expectant mother would do: take great care of yourself. Breathe deeply, eat well, nurture your mental and emotional health. And, consider what other actions you can take to prepare for the new world you wish for. Perhaps this means starting a veggie patch in your garden, or re-engaging with your neighbourhood and making new connections. If you’re not sure what actions to take, the next tip may help…

Listen to your heart and trust yourself

Part of the stress we experience comes from doing things that don’t feel right. For example, when we comply with rules that make no sense or do something just to make others feel better. Each time we submit to an external authority, we undermine our own sovereignty and sense of well-being. How do we get out of this habit? My advice is to tune out of the cultural programming you’re bombarded with and tune in to your own sense of self. In other words, switch off the TV, radio, and social media for a while. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but take it from me, you do not need to be taking in negative news stories to stay informed. Instead, familiarise yourself with how it feels to be you, in each moment. The more we do this, the more attuned we become to our innate knowing. Trust yourself above anyone else. Then, when you do turn on the TV or read the news, do a hard check and ask yourself how it makes you feel. If it’s uplifting, then great. If it’s bringing you down, drop it. It really is that simple.  

Do something for someone else each day

Tuning out of the news and tuning into ourselves does not mean we become self-absorbed and disconnected. My experience is that once we’re standing in our own sovereignty, connecting with others comes naturally. That said, the last couple of years have been very isolating, so reaching out can feel a little uncomfortable at first. We don’t need to make a grand gesture – just smiling at someone can make a big difference, or make a loved one a meal. I find that even asking the question ‘how can I help’, lifts me out of any self-absorption and into an expansive state of mind.

Spend at least 30 minutes in nature every day

Nature isn’t the backdrop to our lives, it is life. The more time I spend in nature, the more I’m reminded that we are part of nature and far from separate. I have a particular love for trees and enjoy appreciating the many attributes we as humans share with them. We are similar in structure: our lungs resemble their branches. We also develop resilience in much the same way: the more wind and rain trees experience, the more their roots grow. We too grow stronger through adversity, even though it doesn’t always feel that way. If I’m feeling particularly battered by events, spending time in the magnificent company of trees grounds me and reminds me that all the challenges are in fact golden opportunities to send out new roots, become ever more resilient, and grow through our experiences.

One last tip for when the chips are down

However much I take care of myself, there are inevitably those moments when I truly feel beaten and like I can’t carry on. In these situations, I crack open my red button, ‘open in case of emergency’ practice of affirmation. In fact, there’s a particular affirmation I turn to, which is this:

“I am a warrior of light. I stand up for the truth. I always have, and I always will.”

I say it out loud with conviction, and it really works. Now, if you’re someone who thinks ‘that wouldn’t work for me as I don’t always stand up for the truth’, consider this: the ‘always’ is now. We only ever have the present. So, when you repeat an affirmation with ‘I always have, I always will’, you are speaking that truth into being, in that very moment. In other words, you can change your reality and be an eternal warrior right now, today.

So, join me as a warrior. Now is the time to shine a light on the darkness so it’s revealed in full and so that humanity and the planet can start to heal. Together, let’s stand up for the truth, always.