Life By Design Therapy

  I used to think being overwhelmed meant I just needed to be more organized or push a little harder. But the truth is, my nervous system wasn’t overloaded because of a lack of planning, it was because I didn’t feel safe enough to slow down. Now, when I feel that familiar tension creeping in, I don’t reach for another productivity hack. I pause. I check in with my body. I ask what I actually need. And most importantly, I remind myself: I don’t need to push through. I need care, space, and compassion. If you’re feeling overwhelmed too, maybe it’s not a flaw or a failure. Maybe it’s a message. You don’t need to do more. You need to feel safe. 🌿 Save this as a gentle reminder for the days that feel like too much. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  I used to wonder why affirmations didn’t work for me. I’d try saying things like “I am enough”… and almost immediately feel this wave of resistance or doubt. For a long time, I thought I was doing something wrong. But I figured out, those words were brushing up against deeper wounds; old beliefs shaped by moments in childhood where I didn’t feel fully seen, loved, or accepted. So if affirmations feel uncomfortable, it’s not a failure. It’s a signal. A part of you is saying: “This doesn’t match what I learned about myself growing up.” ✨ Affirmations aren’t just mindset tools, they touch on our emotional history, too. ✨ When old wounds get stirred up, gentleness matters more than repetition. ✨ It’s okay to start with what feels possible, not what feels perfect. Try saying: 🌼 Every day, I’m growing into someone who believes in their worth. 🌼 I can hold boundaries and still be loved. 🌼 There’s strength in showing up as my whole self. You don’t have to force it. Go slow. Honor wha...

  There are days when my mind feels scattered and my body carries a weight I can’t quite name. That’s when I know it’s time to pause, not to escape, but to reconnect. I’ve learned that somatic breaks aren’t just about relaxation. They’re about regulation. They’re how I remind my nervous system that’s it’s safe. A gentle sway, a deep breath, a hand on my heart, these simple moments help me come back to myself. Not to be more productive, but to be more present. If today feels like too much, maybe you don’t need to push through. Maybe you just need a somatic break . 🌿 Save this as a reminder when your system needs support, not strategy. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/therapy-phone-consultation

  Did you know that affirmations aren’t meant to be perfect or polished. They’re meant to be accessible . And when your nervous system is dysregulated or your self-worth feels shaky, softer words often feel more honest and more healing. Here are three affirmations that meet you where you are, not where you think you should be: 💬 It’s okay to go slow There’s no timeline for healing. Slowness is not a setback, it’s often your body’s way of staying safe. 💬 I’m doing the best I can This can be a powerful antidote to self-judgment. It invites compassion into moments where you might usually criticize yourself. 💬 I want to believe I’m worthy You don’t have to fully believe it yet. Wanting to believe is a meaningful step. It creates space for the truth to grow gently over time. Let affirmations be a bridge to healing and self-growth, not a performance. Which one resonates with you today? https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  Affirmations aren’t just about saying positive things, they’re about creating safety inside your body so those words can actually land. If you’ve ever said something like “I love who I am” and felt a wave of doubt or discomfort…I completely understand. When your nervous system is in protection mode, even kind words can feel uncomfortable or hard to take in. That’s why gentle affirmations, ones that meet you where you are, not where you think you should be, can be such a helpful place to start! Try these when you’re building self-worth and nervous system safety: 🌱 Every emotion I feel is a message guiding me toward growth and healing. 🌱 I can grow without needing to rush the process. 🌱 I’m learning to feel safe in my body. 🌱 I give myself permission to feel, express, and release my emotions in healthy ways. 🌱 I choose to believe in myself. Let these be gentle reminders, not pressure to perform. Healing isn’t about saying things perfectly, it’s about building a relationship...

  You’ve probably heard it before: “ Just say positive affirmations !” But have you ever repeated “I am enough” while secretly feeling like a fraud? Affirmations can be powerful, but only when your nervous system actually feels safe enough to believe them. If deep down you feel unsafe, unworthy, or stuck in survival mode, no amount of repeating nice words will fully land. So what can you do? Start with safety first. Regulate your nervous system, connect with your body, and explore what’s underneath the resistance. When you tend to the root, the words start to feel true. Swipe through to learn: 👉 Why affirmations can backfire 👉 What’s happening in your nervous system 👉 And how to make affirmations actually work for you Healing is more than mindset, it’s mind-body-soul work. You deserve truth that resonates, not just words that sound nice 💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  I used to wonder why something as simple as saying kind words to myself felt so hard. Everyone made affirmations sound easy, just repeat them daily and watch your mindset shift. But for me (and so many clients I work with), the reality felt very different. Sometimes, saying things like “I am safe” or “I am worthy” brought up more tension than peace. And that’s when I realized…it wasn’t just a mindset issue. It was also a nervous system issue. If affirmations feel uncomfortable or even triggering, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because a part of you might not feel safe enough yet to receive those words. 💬 That resistance isn’t failure, it’s feedback. 💬 It’s your body saying, “Let’s go slower.” 💬 It’s asking for safety before belief. Affirmations can absolutely support healing , but they land best when we start with nervous system care. So if the words don’t stick right away, try starting here: ✨ Breathe. ✨ Soften. ✨ Get curious about what your body needs to fee...

  If you find yourself zoning out, scrolling aimlessly, or jumping from task to task, it’s not always about “discipline” or needing a better planner. Sometimes, lack of focus is a nervous system response. When your body feels overwhelmed, unsafe, or depleted, it can be nearly impossible to concentrate. Your brain isn’t broken, it’s protecting you. Swipe through to explore: 👉 The hidden link between focus + your nervous system 👉 Why stress and survival mode hijack your attention 👉 Somatic tools to gently bring your body back into balance You don’t have to force focus through sheer willpower. Start by listening to what your body is really saying 💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

  I used to think affirmations just didn’t work for me. I’d say the words, “I’m enough,” “I am safe,” “I love myself”, but they felt hollow. Sometimes they even triggered more discomfort instead of comfort. If that sounds familiar, then keep reading. Affirmations aren’t just about repeating positive words, they’re about how those words land in your body. When affirmations don’t stick, it’s often because your nervous system isn’t ready to receive them yet. Here’s where I encourage clients to start instead: Regulation Comes First - Before diving into affirmations, make sure your body feels somewhat calm. If it doesn’t, try using breathwork, movement, or grounding techniques to settle your system first. This helps create the internal safety needed for those words to land. Keep Them Believable - If “I love everything about myself” feels like too big a leap, meet yourself where you are. A gentler affirmation like “I’m open to learning how to feel safe in my body” might feel more auth...

  I know how unsettling it can feel when believing you’re worthy doesn’t come easily. When your body has learned to stay in survival mode, it’s not focused on helping you feel confident or calm, it’s focused on getting you through. That constant scanning, shutting down, or going numb? That’s your body’s way of protecting you. But protection isn’t the same as peace. With support and somatic practices , it’s possible to shift out of survival and into safety. And that’s where self-worth begins to take root, not just as a thought, but as something you feel in your body. 💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/somatic-therapy

  I often see people come into sessions feeling defeated by their own inner dialogue. They’ve tried to shift it by trying positive affirmations, but the words don’t seem to land. If you’ve ever said an affirmation like, “I am enough,” only to feel discomfort, disbelief, or even shame in response, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong. The response you feel can be deeply informative. It tells you something about your nervous system and how it’s been shaped by past experiences. Your self-worth isn’t just a mindset. It’s a lived experience in the body. When your nervous system has learned to be hypervigilant, to shut down, or remain in survival mode, it’s not concerned with worthiness. It’s focused on protection. This means that trying to think your way into self-worth with affirmations can feel jarring, even threatening, if your body doesn’t yet feel safe. As a somatic therapist, I understand that change can happen from the body up, not just the head down. Affirmations are...

  We’re quick to blame ourselves when we can’t focus, calling it lazy, unmotivated, or a lack of willpower. But what if distraction is actually a signal , not a flaw? When your nervous system is in survival mode, staying focused can feel unsafe. Distraction becomes a coping tool, your body’s way of saying, “This is too much right now.” What if you approached that with compassion instead of criticism? You’re not broken. You’re protecting yourself. And with support, regulation, and somatic tools , you can gently shift from surviving to safe and focused.💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/holistic-somatic-therapists

  Have you ever tried saying an affirmation like “I love myself,” only to hear that inner voice whisper, “yeah right”? Trust me, I get it. Not only do I see this struggle with my clients, but I’ve experienced it myself. When affirmations feel uncomfortable, it’s often because they stir up old wounds or core beliefs rooted in moments we didn’t feel fully seen, loved, or accepted, especially in childhood. It’s not that affirmations don’t work. It’s that some part of you learned long ago that love had to be earned… or that your worth was conditional. 💬 Instead of pushing through, try asking: What part of me doesn’t believe this yet? What did I need back then that I didn’t get? If you’re curious about how to use affirmations in a way that honors these deeper layers, I break it all down in our latest blog: 👉 “How to Use Affirmations to Build Self-Worth” You’ll learn what makes affirmations helpful , what gets in the way, and how to use them in a way that gently supports healing at the...

  June is Professional Wellness Month 🌿 Work stress is real. Tight deadlines, back-to-back meetings, endless to-do lists. It's easy to ignore your needs when you're in “go mode,” but your well-being matters even at work. Especially at work. That’s why we created a free guide just for you: “20 Calming Activities You Can Do at Your Desk.” 🧘‍♀️💼 Quick, simple tools to help you reset your nervous system, recharge your focus, and care for your mental health, right where you are. ✨ Think: grounding breath work, mini stretches, mindful moments, and more. Professional wellness is about creating small, sustainable habits that support you throughout your day. Grab your free guide with the link in our bio and give your nervous system the mid-day support it deserves. You don’t have to push through. You can pause and still get things done. 💛 https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/