Category: Positive Self Reflection

6 Signs You are Stuck in a People-Pleasing cycle& How to Heal from it

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn healing, Mind, Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection, spiritual healing9 Comments

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. ~ Lao Tzu

People-pleasing is a common coping mechanism humans use to fit in to their surroundings. Most of the time we develop the habit of people pleasing because of our need to protect ourselves from negative emotions. It shows up in a pattern of behaviours that, on the surface, make us seem ‘nice, sweet, flexible, very understanding and agreeable’.

Confession: I am a reforming people-pleaser myself. So, I know first hand that Empaths and Sensitive souls suffer from people-pleasing the most.

While being kind and helpful is generally a good thing, going too far to please others can leave you feeling emotionally depleted, stressed, and anxious.

We really want people’s approval and to stay in their good books, which often results in us neglecting or not even being aware of our own needs.

Because of our need to please others, we struggle to set boundaries and tend to overcommit, leading to overwhelm, anxiety and burnout.

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What is the Purpose of Pain?

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn healing, Mind, Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection7 Comments

”There is no coming to consciousness without pain.” ~ Carl Jung

Being in the field of counseling for more than 20 years now, I see a range of clients, who have many different and varied issues they need help healing from. But the common factor no matter what the issue is, is the pain that they all felt(or feel).

Pain on its own is a very universal feeling. We all, including me, have had our share of pains. So you do understand that healing from pain is not a simple process. There are a multitude of issues to work through and heal through in order to heal that pain. And no, no one size fits all approach can work either.

That being said, I have noticed that in trying to Heal this pain, there are many things we learn about our selves in the process. I have known so many souls, who claim to attain a sense of spiritual growth while trying to heal from their pain.

A question I get asked a lot, due to the spiritual nature of my work is ->

‘Does pain bring us closer to our higher self? Is there purpose in my pain?‘

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12 Healing Ways to Emotional Growth

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn healing, Mind, Mind-Mental Health, Positive Self Reflection, spiritual healing5 Comments

“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” ~ Abraham Maslow

When I began my own journey of emotional growth and healing, I didn’t know it would be so hard. I thought I’ll read a few books, do a few courses, and get therapy and that is all I need.

What I didn’t factor in, was how many emotions I was burying within, and needed to work through. It then led me to understand that this emotional growth and healing is indeed a lifelong process.

Emotional growth is hard work.

Emotional growth is like an uphill climb.

It’s a thing we keep doing, as long as we are alive. And yes, it can be painful and challenging work.

But, it can also be incredibly satisfying and life-altering.

If you fall in love with the process of Emotional growth and approach yourself with curiosity instead of judgment, openness instead of shame, and hope instead of fear, you’ll heal.
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And once you begin to get to know yourself better and start living authentically, there’s no going back.

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