F2 National’s Post

Sometimes, life takes unexpected turns that feel like setbacks. These disappointments can be frustrating, but often, they turn out to be hidden blessings. Disappointments teach us important lessons and help us grow. When things don't go as planned, we rethink our goals and what truly matters. This helps us discover new strengths and opportunities we didn't see before. What seems like a failure can actually lead us to a better path. Missing out on a job might lead to a career that suits us better. A relationship ending might make way for deeper connections. These experiences help us become more adaptable and appreciate life's twists and turns. Sometimes, disappointments protect us from bad situations. A job we didn’t get might have been in a toxic environment, or a relationship ending might save us from future unhappiness. These moments remind us that life might have a better plan for us than we imagined. Seeing disappointments as blessings helps us stay positive and strong.Instead of focusing on what went wrong, we learn to see new opportunities and grow from them. This mindset makes us more open to change and confident in handling life's ups and downs. Realizing that things not working out can actually be good for us teaches us patience and trust. It reminds us to have faith in our life's journey, knowing that every experience, whether happy or painful, shapes us. By seeing disappointments as chances for growth, we find hope and strength. We learn to trust the process, believing that even tough times contribute to our happiness and fulfillment. Stay positive 💚

I turned 20 two months ago And these are the 7 lessons that I've learned over time - >> Nobody cares about you as much as you think. You are the only person who truly knows and can look after yourself. Prioritize yourself at the top of your list. >> The reason you've made it this far is your family. They are your silent protectors. Make time to talk to your parents; they should come right after you on your priority list, followed by the rest of the world. >> You won't always get what you want, no matter how hard you work. Sometimes, things just don’t work out, and that's okay. “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon. >> The outcome doesn't always reflect the intention. Many people have good intentions, but the results may vary. Avoid judging others or yourself based solely on outcomes. Focus on the intention behind actions. >> Stop seeking external things to complete you. They won’t, and you'll only end up disappointed. Happiness is already within you. >> Learn to make decisions without outside influence. Quit that job, speak up to your boss, pursue your hobby, travel, talk to strangers, forgive, apologize, and leave no stone unturned. You'll only regret the things you didn't do, so why wait? >> Whatever is causing you worry or pain now won’t last forever. Things change with time, and this too shall pass. What is your biggest life lesson that you learnt the hard way possible? #life #lifelessons

Losing something to gain something new is often part of life's journey. It's never too late to explore new paths, new people, and new places and discover new interests, or pursue your passions. Removing negative people from your life or refusing to engage in their negative games is a significant achievement. Knowing your worth, loving yourself, and moving forward while sticking with your passions are vital. Don't listen to those who can't live without attachment or lack high goals; instead, observe how successful people balance their work and personal life, and strive to emulate their dedication and balance. Maintaining self-respect and dignity is essential, even if it means losing something in the process. Your self-worth should never be sacrificed for temporary gains or to please others. Making tough decisions of life and sticking to your goals convictions can be challenging but necessary for personal growth and progress. It often requires courage, resilience, and a clear sense of purpose. indeed, distancing yourself from people who disrupt your peace can be a crucial step in maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. It's important to prioritize your own peace of mind and surround yourself with positive influences. Not everyone will understand you, and that's okay. Sometimes it's best to let people play their manipulative games and trust that karma will address their actions in due time. It's important to focus on your own integrity and well-being rather than getting caught up in their drama. Don't reply to toxic people; let them find their own happiness in what they see and believe. Free yourself from their negativity, keep going, and stay focused on your goals. Don't waste time on people who don't help you and just being there for useless information; instead, take action and keep moving forward. Life is indeed too short to be worried. Just be yourself and embrace each moment

Being busy is a shield you're using and an excuse you're making to keep yourself safe. From this 👇 You’re hiding. Deep down, you know there are areas of your life that need attention. Perhaps it's a relationship that's lost its spark. A career that no longer fulfills you. Or personal goals and dreams you've tucked away out of fear. When you're constantly occupied, there's little room for confronting the deep-seated truths that linger beneath the surface. So you keep busy with the little tasks, commitments, and projects that serve as a buffer against the uncomfortable realities that are nudging you from the inside. You tell yourself you’re getting stuff done. Being productive. But it's just a clever diversion. A well-crafted excuse to postpone the introspection and inner work that you need and that you’re avoiding. Or the action you know you need to take but you're scared to do. Facing these things takes courage. It means stepping into the unknown, confronting fears, peeling back layers, unraveling insecurities, and embracing vulnerability. Whereas staying busy offers you some semblance of control and distraction. It cocoons you in the comfort of routine, shielding you from the uncertainties and risks that come with personal growth. Deep down, though, you know you have unmet potential and unfulfilled dreams ✨️ You’re yearning for a life lived authentically, aligned with your true self. You want true happiness, love, confidence and peace. What if you put your time and energy to invest in what truly matters? What would that look like? If you can: 1️⃣Acknowledge the true reason your true need to stay busy. 2️⃣ Be brave and delve into the uncomfortable truths or scary actions. Then you will pave the way for a more confident, awesome and happy life ✨️ So, who’s going to be brave and admit to using their business to hide now and then? Hands up in the comments 🧏♀️😅

Life throws challenges at us, but every tough moment is a chance to grow stronger. Think about how each problem you solve makes you a bit tougher. It's amazing to see how people can get through tough times and come out smiling. 🌞 Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Learn from everything that happens. Look forward to better days, because they are always on the horizon. 🚀 Hold on to hope and believe that good things are coming. Every step you take is important. 💖 ---------------------------- All the above is pure BS that most like and share, but do nothing, they just feel good on the "positivity", and then back-to their mediocre life. Sometimes it looks like drugs, the happiness effect goes away too soon, and you can't wait to see the next BS. The truth is, the real power lies within you, not in these stories (they are just for selling stuff you don't need). It's not about waiting for hope to lift you up, it's about taking action yourself. Your strength isn't something that's fed by inspirational tales. It's something you build every day by the actions you take, the decisions you make, and your will power to move forward, no matter what. ...it's not just about hoping for a better future-it's about creating it with your own hands.

If you don't know what to do in life. 😮💨 Here are 5 questions you should ask yourself👇 We've all been there - that dreadful feeling when life seems to be at a standstill, and you can't shake off the notion that you're just not making any progress. The lack of forward momentum can be frustrating and demotivating whether it's your career, relationships, or personal growth. Here are five questions that have helped me get unstuck and reignite: 1. Am I truly passionate about what I'm doing? Passion is the fuel that keeps your engine running. If you're not excited about your work, relationships, or hobbies, it's easy to lose motivation. Asking myself this question made me realize that I needed to align my career with my true passions. 2. Am I surrounding myself with the right people? The company you keep can significantly impact your growth and mindset. If you're constantly around negative or unmotivated individuals, their energy can rub off on you. I've had to distance myself from friends who constantly complained but did nothing to improve their situations. 3. Am I challenging myself enough? Complacency is the enemy of progress. If you're not stepping out of your comfort zone, you're not growing. 4.Am I taking care of myself physically and mentally? If you're neglecting your physical or mental health, it can lead to burnout and stagnation. I've learned the hard way that prioritising self-care through exercise, meditation, and proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining focus and drive. 5. Am I letting fear hold me back? Fear is often the root cause of inaction. The fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown can paralyze us from taking risks and trying new things. I've had to confront my fears head-on, reminding myself that the only way to grow is to embrace discomfort and take calculated risks. If you're feeling stuck, take some time to reflect on these questions honestly. The answers may reveal areas in your life that need adjustment or a complete overhaul.

Looking back 10 years ago, the most powerful change I made? → It wasn’t a new job, a bigger paycheck, or even moving across the globe. → It was changing the way I talked to myself. For years, I let my inner critic run wild. Every mistake? Was taken as Proof that I wasn’t enough. Every setback? I used to turn it into Evidence that I didn’t deserve success. But in 2014, I decided to shift things. I started a daily check-in with myself. Here’s what I did: → Check-In: "Hey, how are you feeling today?" - I asked myself this simple question daily. - Naming the emotion—anger, fear, grief—was step one. → Feel: Did a body scan. - Where in my body was I feeling this? - Recognizing the sensation helped me stay grounded. → Breathe: Focused on my breath. - Emotions are energy; I moved them through breath(whoever has met me, my positive energy is unmatched). - Stayed with the sensation, breathing through it. Today, I am more positive, optimistic, and I wouldn’t give up this for anything—neither: → Money → Job → Or anything else you can name. Whenever my mind started to judge, I’d say: “It’s okay to feel this way.” It wasn’t an overnight fix, but each day, the more I validated my feelings, the less power they had over me. Life changes when you change the way you relate to your emotions. Give it a try. Perspective is everything. (If this resonates, share it with someone who needs it today ♻️) P.S. How do you check in with yourself?

She worried that her friends & family would think she was "nuts" to leave her executive job and travel the world. So she stayed. Perception is one of the 4 big fears that kills career break dreams. Overcoming this fear is simple, but not easy. Here's the 2-step process: 1. Test your assumption. The easiest way to sabotage your happiness is to assume your worst fears are true, without question. It's a shortcut to feeling miserable. Instead, test your hypothesis: share your truth with a loved and see what they think. They might surprise you with open arms of support, and you may discover your fear of *their* harsh judgement was only a projection of your own. 2. Decide what's most important. If your loved ones disapprove, you'll have to make a decision: your happiness and well-being OR their comfort? It takes courage to follow your own path, but the alternative is living a life that isn't yours. And that feels terrible. Making decisions based on the naysayers in your life is a sure way to live with regret. You can apply this process to ANY unconventional dream you want to chase or desire you want to fulfill. Don't let the fear of Perception keep you from your true path. You don't have to stay stuck in life that doesn't feel right or make you happy. Which big fear should I create a flowchart on overcoming next? Boredom? Money? Career Progress? #careerbreak #sabbatical #overcomingfear #careercoaching #lifeadvice

Why Do We Take the Difficult Path Even When There's an Easier Way? 🤔 We've all been there - putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We end up feeling like we don't deserve success or happiness unless we take the absolute hardest route possible. 😥 Maybe it's going for that demanding job even though there were less stressful options available. Or it can be intentionally choosing the most rigorous workout regimen instead of easing into it. Perhaps it's setting highly noble, borderline unrealistic goals for ourselves instead of taking baby steps. Why do we do this to ourselves? Why can't we just choose the easier path when it's staring us right in the face? 🥴 As a psychologist, I've seen this pattern time and time again. We have this deeply ingrained belief that unless we suffer, unless we push ourselves to the harsh, we don't truly deserve whatever it is we're striving for. But here's the truth: Life is already difficult enough as it is. Why make it exponentially harder than it needs to be? 🤷♀️ You are worthy of success, of feeling fulfilled, of being happy - without having to take the most excruciating path to get there. Give yourself permission to make things easier when you can. Your self-worth shouldn't be determined by how much you unnecessarily struggle. The next time you catch yourself gravitating towards the most difficult option for no good reason, pause. Take a breath. And choose the kinder path for yourself instead. You deserve it. 💜 We're human beings, not superhuman machines. So let's bring a bit more self-compassion into our lives and ease up on this cruel, self-imposed difficulty setting. The journey is difficult enough - no need to sharpen those jagged rocks you're scrambling over. Have you had such experiences, where you have to choose unnecessary hardship for yourself?

Break the Cycle of Bitterness The other day a friend posted that he had gotten a leading job that seemed quite fulfilling. I got really bent out of shape about it, to the point of being bitter. I was thinking how unfair it was, saying to myself, “He just has opportunities come out of the blue, and he’s always getting things like this.” I threw myself a real nice self-pity party for a minute or two… In the midst of my party, I recognized I was responding poorly out of habit. Just allowing this unwritten script to start playing in my head. I did my best to stop it right then. It didn’t stop immediately, but I DID start taking control of my thoughts. I DID do some deep breathing to calm down and think rationally. I DID start reminding myself of what I was grateful for in my own life. I DID replace jealousy of his success with celebration of his success. Within a few moments I was able to break out of the old loop and just be happy for him.  Old habits are hard to break because of how comfortable they are. Just set the needle and the habit will play with ease.  Yet the habit of resentment is not one I want to hang on to. I’m responsible for my own happiness. A job by itself won’t make me happy. Getting mad because someone else is having a moment of success won’t make me happy. ⚖ I have to choose to be happy with what I am doing in my own life. 🎯 If something like this plays out in your life, do your best to break the cycle.  Try to recognize both the trigger and the response.  Substitute a response you would like to play instead. I’ve found deep breathing stops the loop and being grateful gives me more calm and compassion for my own situation. Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash