I can remember when I was a lot more serious. It didn’t feel good inside. It felt cold inside and therefore I would become defensive. This created ‘the great divide’ between me and others and blocked me from the “fun” feeling I wanted.
During the process of shedding my old self, I learned a few things…
To me, lightening up required me to get comfortable with my weaknesses.
To lighten up I needed to assume others were out to do me good, not harm.
Lightening up required me to break out of the small and limiting box I’d created for myself, so I could really live.
It required a willingness to learn from others.
Pride and Defensiveness need a stiff kick in the pants. Decide NOT to hold hands with them anymore.
Learning to let your guard down is part of the process of learning to let go and have more fun. A process that unravels you and reveals your vulnerable parts but also allows more fun in. The truth is, allowing your imperfections to shine, allows others to break out of their boxes. Your incredible value won’t change when people see the real you.
When you think of letting down your defenses and learning to communicate with others about how you feel, what do you fear will happen? If you find you’re too serious for your own good or that you often give yourself a hard time, I have
A challenge for you.
When you find yourself facing that cold, not so fun part of yourself, allow the situation or words you’re hearing to hit your head, not your heart. This enables you to face the situation or person from a logical perspective, rather than emotional. You might even like a physical reminder of this exercise. If so, wearing a necklace is a great reminder to keep the situation in your head and not allow it to dribble down to the heart.
If you have difficulty facing criticism, remind yourself of your self worth. This provides the stepping stone from which to view the value and truth in the criticism. You are in charge of what you want to change. Taking responsibility for your own personal growth is where it’s at!
What’s helped you lighten up? I’d love to hear! Share with us in the comments below!
Here’s to living a life filled with tons of fun!
Amy
