Earlier this year as I was working through some things in my personal life, I read a book that really has made a lasting impact on my mindset.

The Book That Changed My Mindset

I’ve long been intrigued by the mind-body connection and how our thoughts and moods have the ability to really empower or ruin our days. How we can instantly internalize things and feel worse physically or less motivated.

And, while I am generally a rather upbeat and positive person, when I read Gabby Bernstein’s The Universe Has Your Back: Transforming Fear to Faith, I learned a lot about how my mindset was playing out through each day. What I found was I had a variety of scenarios that were triggering negative sentiments.

Just as in writing this post, I realized I was living in a place of negativity when it came to being single because of how I was talking about the subject to other people (despite not minding being single most days!), reading The Universe Has Your Back made me realize I was being negative about a lot of little things. People on their phones not looking where they are going. Slow walkers. Rude people. People chronically late. People behaving in a way I couldn’t stand. I could go on…but what I realized was that every time I encountered one of these scenarios, I was saying all these negative things in my mind. (To level-set, my personality type likes rules, order and subscribing to social norms).

I wasn’t living in a place of joy or grace on the regular. And I wasn’t remembering that we’re all bearing crosses or that sometimes someone is having a really bad day and I need to be more understanding. I was living in a negative place for periods of each day and yet being unhappy that things weren’t feeling like they were getting better.

I took copious notes from the book – some of which I’ll share today – but if you’re feeling off or unmotivated or stuck or disheartened – I truly can’t recommend this book enough.

It taught me to live each day from a place of joy and understanding and reminds me daily I need to be choosing joy first and exercising patience. The theory goes that this joyful energy will allow the universe to bring things into alignment and I’ve also found that it also helps in practicing daily gratitude (that’s a post for another day!)

As I started trying to prioritize this joyful attitude, I became very aware of Gabby’s principle of “When you dwell in an energy of positivity and power, you become a magnet for miracles” and “Energy flows where your attention goes.”  When I was letting insignificant parts of my day affect my mood, I wasn’t setting myself up for success or productivity. 

Rather, what I’ve come to realize is that when you focus on the positive things happening, you truly create better energy day to day. Your presence is instantly improved and noted by those you encounter. I started to become more aware of my thoughts and learned to see when I felt more disconnected and negative.

A few key takeaways from the book:

When joy becomes your priority, making decisions becomes easier, relationships become more loving and you start to trust that the Universe has your back. When you’re connected to your joyful presence, you attract support from the Universe. 

What would happen if your day’s intention was to feel good? 

When you’re in a state of joy, you leave a positive imprint on every being in the world. Lean toward joy and peace. 

A big item for me was manifesting patience by choosing joy over negativity. I started seeing obstacles more as opportunities and less as road blocks. I took the challenges that presented themselves more head-on and in a way that allowed me to be more open to change. And I became more adaptable in the process and more grateful for what I was working with rather than focusing on what I didn’t have.

Focusing on what you do have creates more of what you want.

I’ve found this a powerful notion when things seem to be out of my control or things are frustrating or when bad news presents itself.

I continually come back to the many notes I took when reading this book as they serve as a good level-set when I’m feeling negativity seep in or like my anxiety is being dialed up.

I hope you’ll read this book and if you do, I can’t wait to hear what you think and what takeaways you have! And, needless to say, I’ve already pre-ordered Gabby’s next book coming out this Fall.

. . .

Banana Republic Top (comes in 3 colors; wearing a M; also comes in dress form) // Paige Jeans (see my updated list of favorite denim here) // Sarah Flint Pumps (use code MEGHAN50 for $50 off your first pair; last seen here) // Gucci Bag // Pearl Hair Clip

A few other Banana Republic new arrivals worth perusing: This sweater blazer, this duster cardigan, this dress, this sweater, this dress I bought in black and love for its comfort, these joggers, this tee and these jeans.

p.s. my thoughts on manifestations and a reset diet.