22: How to Start Being Happier (when you’ve been stuck in your unhealthy cycles for too long)

If you’ve been around here for a hot minute, you’ve heard me talk a lot about the “old me.” She was not happy. The old me was always falling for cognitive distortions and believing the worst about myself. I put up a lot of walls around me and didn’t let a lot of people in or show them the real me at all - so when someone tells me they enjoy my company, they actually like me, it always blows me away - sometimes it still takes me off guard. I used to be a bit of a jerk - like, I was the kind of person who liked to whisper comments to my sister about other people, tearing them down, making fun of them. I now know that I was projecting my own insecurities onto others. I was miserable, and I was making myself miserable. It took a lot of discipline to break free from the patterns that kept me there.  I had to break free from the cognitive distortions, the negative thinking, and the habits that weren’t helpful. That freedom has changed my life. My past self was a jerk, pessimistic, miserable. My current self is none of those things. My current self is open minded and loving. I understand that everyone is doing the best they can with what they have. I only ever seem to forget to give myself grace, and even then, it’s something I work through, it’s not somewhere I stay. I do still tend to revert to that old shy self when I meet someone new - or simply am face to face with someone I’m not fully comfortable with. I go back to that quiet version of me that closes off and seems cold to others. I’m not trying to be that way, it’s simply the pattern I’m in a habit of. 3 Steps to break the patterns of misery and despair. These are the three pillars that pulled me out of a decade of depression. Using these 3 keys every day keeps me from backsliding into misery. These need to be a priority for the rest of your life. The secrets to happy living? Intentionality, Affirmation, Gratitude. Read more here in the show notes: https://brittniclarkson.com/2022/07/20/22-how-to-stop-being-a-miserable-jerk-when-youve-been-stuck-in-your-ways-for-so-long-this-is-where-you-begin-to-make-change/  Instagram: www.instagram.com/britclarkson Facebook: www.facebook.com/brittniclarksonblog Happy Mom-Brain Workbook: http://brittniclarkson.com/happymom/ FREEBIE Happy Mom Mindset Mini Guide: https://brittniclarkson.ck.page/happymommindset Everyday Joy Planner: http://brittniclarkson.com/planner/