By Brianna Bridges
We don’t think about how our environment is intertwined with our mental state and daily life often – we’re too busy running from one responsibility to the next and then winding down with some television or TikTok to really take notice. But the clues are there, nonetheless.
What and who we surround ourselves with is a reflection of our mindset
For instance, if you suffer from overwhelm, you may see it manifest as clutter in your household – that chair that accumulates clothes in your bedroom; the constant pile on the kitchen counter; or the closet that’s gotten so messy because things get shoved back in instead of put back where they belong.
If you have a habit of negative self-talk or people-pleasing, you might find yourself in relationships where you feel a lack of boundaries and respect, or like you’re always giving more than you’re getting.
On top of that, you might find yourself committing to things you don’t want to do on a regular basis, ending up with a calendar full of things you don’t want to do and few things that you do.
All of these elements of our environment – our physical surroundings, our relationships with others, our social commitments, and the experiences we allow (or don’t allow) ourselves to indulge in – either create a strong system that supports our well-being or one that is full of energy leaks that drain us.
And while we influence and create our environment with our mindset, our environment also reinforces our beliefs about ourselves and the world around us.
When curated thoughtfully, along with a healthy mindset, our environment can become a steady source of positive energy and help us thrive in daily life.
But how do you know if your environment is optimized to help you thrive?
It’s a simple question “Is this enhancing my life or not?” in relation to any of these areas of your life.
When you zoom out and examine each of these areas, you’ll likely have a subtle but nagging sense that you might be experiencing a bit of discomfort.
In your home, you might have that space in mind that just makes you feel like “Ugh – it’s such a mess; I don’t even want to go in there.”
In your relationships, you might have that person in mind that always just makes you feel a little bit like you can’t be comfortable being yourself.
And in your time commitments, you might have that obligation that is no longer being done because you want to, but simply because you feel like you have to.
If on top of that, you’re also feeling like you’re missing out on something you want to do or have, that’s a sign your environment isn’t living up to what it could be doing to support you in living your best life and reinforcing a healthy mindset.
It’s these areas that need your attention. Sometimes cosmetic fixes like an office refresh or a decluttering party can do wonders for your energy. Others might need more deep work. But if you take a step back and think about the relationship between your environment and your mindset, you’ll have a clear picture of where your life is looking for you to give it a little love.
Brianna can be contacted at: Brianna@BriannasBestLife.com. Please visit her website for more information: BriannasBestLife.com.
