How to Recognize Your Patterns and Why This Matters If You Are TTC

Amira Posner joins us today as we're digging into how to recognize your patterns and why this matters if you are TTC. We all have them. Patterns. The things we do over and over again. Some of them are great, others are not very helpful for us. Studies say that over ⅔ of our spontaneous thoughts are negative. And while it can be difficult to stay positive when we’re the middle of a struggle - it's important to remember that there is a beginning and an end. This will not last forever. So how do we identify our negative patterns (i.e. impatience, worry, anger, self-criticizing, etc.). The first step is awareness. I'm excited to welcome Amira Posner back to the podcast. Amira is a professional therapist with Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Social Work. She also has formal training in hypnotherapy, Reiki, and the relaxation response. Amira and I work very closely together! We also co-facilitate the online Mindfulness Fertility Series together. This is a 6-week online program that helps embrace your fertility journey with proven relaxation techniques and stress management strategies that help you regain control and cope with infertility in a much more positive way! Our next session starts Sept 17, 2020, at 7:30 pm EST. Go to https://fabfertile.com/product/mindfulness-fertility-series-6-week-online-program/ series to sign up. On this episode, you’ll learn: 1) How to know when you are stuck in an unhelpful pattern 2) How do we ease our suffering? We discuss awareness, the intention to change, taking ourselves off automatic pilot, and developing a plan. 3) Strategies to help when you have a negative thought 4) How self-compassion can help and provide comfort during difficult times. Plus what would you tell a friend in a similar situation to you? 5) Why self-pity can be a slippery slope and how to notice the signs.   TIMESTAMPS: 06:28- INTRO AND AMIRA POSNER'S BIO   08:12- WHAT ARE "PATTERNS" AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT? How the fertility journey is sometimes the vessel that shows us the negative patterns in our lives How catching negative patterns in your life can ease suffering How our thoughts are bent towards the negative One of the biggest patterns that Amira sees working with clients 12:32- RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO CONTROL AND VISUALIZATION The difficulty in visualization when we try to protect ourselves from pain The role of belief in visualization Dealing with the thought "What if this doesn't happen?" "It's not easy work. It's scary." The importance (and difficulty) of being vulnerable 16:40- DEALING WITH COMPARISION "We are all on our own journey"  Blocking out temptations to compare 17:50- HOW DO WE EASE SUFFERING Changing the way we relate to ourselves "Suffering is what gives us awareness" Changing the way we relate to infertility Moving out of auto-pilot and being intentional   19:20- HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS WITH OUR THOUGHTS Meditation's role in raising awareness and combatting unhealthy patterns Being present in your meditation Blowing a "kiss" and letting it go 21:30- SELF-COMPASSION AND BEING KIND TO YOURSELF Powerful statements you can say to better connect with yourself Reframing difficulties  The power of asking yourself how you would respond to your friend 22:50- CONNECTING WITH YOUR INNER CHILD TO CHANNEL SELF-LOVE How to visualize yourself as a child and feel love for yourself 24:20- MOVING PAST SELF-PITY (WHEN IT IS NOT HEALTHY) The balance of self-pity and giving yourself space to feel Moving past it where it will not control you "Struggle has a beginning, middle, and end" Finding different ways of relating to yourself 27:37- THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDITATION AND BUILDING A PRACTICE How sometimes the thing we need the most we let go of first The importance of self-care and why it's critical to make time for it What fears cause you to be hard on yourself Dealing with impatience 31:48- RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS The importance of what you are putting into your mind 35:05- MINDFULNESS SERIES DETAILS --- Text For US residents text FERTILE to 55444 to access your free fertility yoga video. Message & data rates may apply. Terms & Privacy: https://txtf.co/consumer-terms. For the non-US residents go to www.yogafreebie.com to access your free fertility yoga video. In this 20-minute intro video, we focus on a calming and peaceful practice to connect back to our heart. These simple yoga poses can help quiet negative thoughts and make you feel more in control.   --- Book your Free Supercharge Your Fertility Discovery Call here: https://intakeq.com/booking/cZ7XW6 ---   Sponsored by: BLUBlox (Sleep+ is the world’s most advanced blue and green light blocking glasses addressing the exact frequencies of light required after dark to optimally produce melatonin for restorative sleep and health) Visit BLUBlox website at: http://bit.ly/BLUBlox Use coupon code: getpregnantpodcast to receive 15% discount. Free shipping worldwide.   --- Got questions?  Join the Fab Fertile Support Group for motivation, support, and education so that you can prepare for pregnancy success. --- Connect with Sarah on social media and learn more about functional fertility solutions that will help you have your baby. Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fabfertile/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sesacoaching/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/fabfertile Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahclarkfertilitycoach/   --- HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW!   Love the show?  You’ll really love Sarah’s resources page - filled with handpicked products/books/devices - get exclusive discounts and support the show by making purchases SHOP here: https://fabfertile.com/resources/     Other ways to support:   Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-pregnant-naturally/id1329414094   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36NoCIuODqlo3bQcVDOO02   Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/sarah-clark/get-pregnant-naturally   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC97zsClWDEbgmECB6uLUuiA   Player FM: https://player.fm/series/get-pregnant-naturally   Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/get-pregnant-naturally-sarah-clark-82DYJtZnFAa/   Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/usiv9-629c6/Get-Pregnant-Naturally-Podcast   iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-get-pregnant-naturally-30947830/   LEAVE APPLE PODCAST REVIEW: http://bit.ly/getpregnantreview   SHARE:  Spread the word! Tell someone else about the show!  Together we are strong.      Related episodes:   Functional Medicine 101:  https://fabfertile.com/blog/functional-medicine-101-and-your-fertility/   Everything You Need To Know About EFT if you are TTC:  https://getpregnant.libsyn.com/website/everything-you-need-to-know-about-eft-if-you-are-ttc   The Soul of Your Baby Is Waiting for You:  https://getpregnant.libsyn.com/website/the-soul-of-your-baby-is-waiting-for-you