Old Brain versus New Brain (2)

When I am in new brain it feels like this:

I can take on the world. My brain is calm, my body is relaxed, and I am ready to play.

My physical, emotional, and financial perspective is one of safety. I experience calmness both on in the inside and outside of my physical being.

Sometimes it is like:

In new brain I can connect to my tribe from a place of deep ease. I do this through in-person visits, texting my peeps in the morning, FaceTime chats and zooming with my WW friends. I also have zoom time with friends I keep in touch with monthly. All these ways of connecting with my tribe keeps me engaged in living my best life.

In new brain I am also able to surround myself with a team of people who help me keep my mental and physical health on track. In 2023 I will be saying goodbye to Dr. Joanne Bihari. I am in the process of developing a ritual with her. It will be a time of honouring all the gifts she has offered since 2014. Yes, I will miss her terribly. Yet, I know the gift of her essence will be ever present even though we are parting ways in terms of our current relationship. I am sure my relationship with my Chiropractor will also shift. She has helped me get to a point where I will have less need of her services. I am feeling so much better since my treatments. I continue to connect with my peeps through Inspired Living Medical by my monthly attendance in group. Soon....it will be kayaking weather and I will take the summer off. I see my medical doctor a couple of times a year and let's hope it stays at that! I am grateful to have a doctor! I have a somatic therapist I meet with regularly and I look forward to my continued relationship with her. As a side note a somatic therapist helps me be aware of my body. The relationship I have with myself and others. From that perspective I get to choose how I want to relate and change so I can live my best life.

In new brain I can focus on my sense of purpose and live my values. Being part of the WW (weight watchers) community has enhanced my life. My purpose to live a healthy life has been truly magnified by all the many experiences where people see, hear, and treat me like I matter. People have held me as I work hard at living the best life I can live through the lens of love. The opportunities to share my success (non-scale-victories) have highlighted my growth.

I am a rock star

when it comes to follow-through on goals, I set out for myself.

In new brain I can explore my relationship with myself. This has provided me with tons of opportunities to be curious and come up with creative ways to be kind to myself through all my growing. As I look in the mirror for two minutes each day silently; 3.25 minutes while taking in Heather Bishop singing "Yes to Life" I have been challenged to remain in new brain. Happy to report 37 days in and I am getting so comfortable in my skin. Comfortable enough that I reached out to friends to help me tackle shifting my wardrobe from winter to spring/summer and accept the new size I have attained through all my consistent hard work.

In new brain I have been able to consistently follow-through with my blogs. I have had feedback how my writing is helping folks. That is so awesome! I have contacted the company I post my blogs with and have problem solved the issue of not being able to leave comments. I am hoping with the changes it will be easier for those who wish to leave a comment.

In new brain I am embracing how I can play! I am so looking forward to being on the water. Riding my new bike will be fun. I also am looking forward to making progress on my puzzle. I continue to engage in conqueror challenges (virtual challenges to run, walk, row, bike etc, which help me engage in my fitness activities). I am doing the Fellowship of the Rings on my own. Route 66 with some Saturday evening WW (weight watchers) peeps. I am part of a walking across Canada challenge with some Saturday morning WW (weight Watchers) peeps and World walks with some folks from across the country. So much fun

I continue to follow through on my commitments when in new brain. In new brain it is a pleasure to live the life I want to live. At least most of the time. Sometimes it is complicated as the filters in which I view the world changes from one brain state to the other. Also, from the interactions between new and old brain. What takes up rental space in my brain also differs.

In new brain:

yet while old brain is activated ..the "why am I the way that I am?" does come up. I may turn to self-criticism rather than compassion. If I am able to be curious, I can turn things around.

In WW (weigh watcher's) this week we are exploring how to make healthy eating more exciting. It led into a discussion of how to make life more exciting. We chatted about the feel-good hormones: endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin, cortisol. I hope to tie some of this into my next blog as I continue my journey with Old Brain and New Brain. I am also looking forward to reflecting on my journey from living mostly in old brain to living mostly in new brain and the interplay between both!

Resources:

Articles that may be of interest:

The three F's: https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/fight-flight-freeze/

The 6F's of Trauma response, article: https://neuroclastic.com/the-6fs-of-trauma-responses/

Videos from last week:

The Three Main Parts Of Your Brain by Dr. Russ Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CpRY9-MIHA

Old Brain New Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBBZRsM3xB0

An Introduction to CFT 2: Old Brain New Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb0DkdCNQ9g

The Flight, Fight, Freeze response https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEHwB1PG_-Q

Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn: Understanding Your Stress Responses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP6SXMr-6_g