Late last week I filmed the first in a series of videos (which I’ll be sharing with you soon) about transforming depression and becoming deeply happy.
Now, even though I’ve taught and written about this topic for years, it was an entirely different experience to put it on film. Speaking into the impassive glass of the camera, with the thought of so many unknown and possibly uncharitable people who would watch the video – it was harder than I thought it would be!
When we wrapped for the day, I was shaking, craving comfort food, and wanted nothing more than to huddle into my bed and numb out with one of my favorite books. I felt raw and unsafe. I questioned the entire project. I felt depressed and inadequate.
I’m sharing this with you, not because this is a unique experience, but because it is common. And I’m guessing you’ve felt something similar, if you’ve ever put yourself out there in a way that felt scary to you. You may have stopped yourself from going against the grain, or trying something new, for fear of the resultant insecurity that often comes after the bold revelation.
How did I pull through? Well, first I curled up into a ball. I did eat some comfort food. I mindlessly scrolled through Facebook. I reached out to a couple of trusted friends.
And, I re-watched this video of Brené Brown, a talk entitled “Sweaty Creatives.”
In this keynote, she brilliantly teaches how to be courageous in the face of doubt. Her main points:
1. Creativity – doing something different, new or original – is an extremely vulnerable act.
2. Making your self vulnerable inevitably triggers shame. It awakens the critical voices of your past, and your own cruel inner critic.
3. When in doubt and fear, remember your values. Know what is important to you, and let that guide your actions.
4. Acknowledge and even welcome the voices of shame and criticism…but don’t let them stop you.
5. Invite the energy and presence of those who have always loved you, supported you and appreciated you. The ones that will be honest with you when you fall short, dust you off, and encourage you to keep going.
Value them with all your heart, instead of taking them for granted because they’ve always been there.
6. Invite the part yourself who truly believes in you – your true inner self, the one who loves to express herself and experiences the joy of being who you are.
7. Know that the peanut gallery critics don’t count – the ones who stay safe by commenting from the sidelines, without attempting anything risky themselves.
The only ones who count are the ones also getting their asses kicked, who know how hard it is to give your all, and who know that even if you fail, you will have at least lived with courage and done your very best.
See her incredible speech here – I promise you it’s 22 minutes well spent:
Teray Garchitorena Kunishi, ND
Get in touch at http://www.deeplyhappy.com/contact/
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