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“I think, therefore I am” - René Descartes

I was on a call with my child therapist this week trying to untangle my daughter’s social anxiety. She’s a highly sensitive child, and her emotions can sometimes feel overwhelming. My role is to help her embrace the sensitivity as a gift and guide her in turning it into her own superpower.

But I had a burning question: Why is anxiety so impossible to escape these days?

The therapist’s response was immediate: “Because our brains are still wired for survival in a world that no longer exists.”

Our ancient survival instincts—the ones that prepare us to fight, flee, freeze, or fawn—were built for physical danger: predators, attacks, life-or-death decisions. But those dangers are rarely physical anymore. No one where we live is running from tigers—except, maybe, my husband, during the occasional showdown with a raccoon behind the garbage can at night.

Instead, our brains react to social challenges and emotional discomfort as if they’re just as life-threatening.

Take my daughter, for example. Her fear of people laughing isn’t about the laughter itself—laughter is neutral, even joyful. It’s the story her brain spins: “Am I doing it wrong?” That’s the hook. That’s what pulls her into anxiety’s grasp.

Big Idea: You Become the Author in the Space Between Thoughts and Emotions

Growing up, many of us were taught—directly or indirectly—to fear our emotions, suppress our pain, or soldier through discomfort. These lessons weren’t meant to harm us—quite the opposite. They often came from parents, coaches, or mentors who wanted us to persevere and succeed.

Rather than avoiding or overcoming our emotions, we must see them as gifts—breadcrumbs guiding us to a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Your emotions aren’t the enemy—they’re raw data, reflecting what matters most to you. The real challenge lies in the stories your mind spins around those emotions—the ones that distort reality and hold you back.

By creating a subject-object relationship with your thoughts and emotions, you gain the power to read the signals and write your own narrative. 

The 5 Step Core Response Method

When life feels overwhelming or you find yourself stuck in a loop of intense emotions, try this to regain clarity and take back the pen:

Step 1: Stop Believing the Story

Your brain is constantly interpreting the world around you, spinning stories about what’s happening—sometimes exaggerated, sometimes rooted in truth. The key is to recognize these stories as interpretations, not facts. By pausing and stepping back, you can decide what meaning you want to attach to them.

Step 2: Break the Spin

Our minds are wired to spiral into worst-case scenarios, turning a single thought into a storm of “what-ifs.” To break the loop, ground yourself in the present moment: What can you see, hear, or feel right now? Use your senses to reconnect with reality. Pair this with 90 seconds of box breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4) to calm your nervous system and clear your head.

Step 3: Name It to Tame It

Give your emotions a name and identify the story behind them. For example: “I feel anxious because I’m telling myself I’m selfish for going on my business trip.” When you name what you’re feeling, you create distance between yourself and the emotion. This space allows you to step back, reflect, and respond intentionally instead of reacting automatically.

Step 4: Rewrite the Narrative

Every story your brain tells has more than one version. Pause and ask: “Is this the only way to see it?” Look for a perspective that honors what you value. Rewriting the narrative isn’t about ignoring challenges—it’s about choosing a story that reflects your priorities. For example, instead of “I’m selfish for leaving,” try: “I’m dedicated to my work, and I show my flexibility by putting my family first when they need me.” 

Step 5: Realign with Your Higher Power

Your presence in the world—the atmosphere you carry—is shaped by the stories you believe, the thoughts you follow, and the source you trust. So pause and ask God: which narrative is most true? What are you trying to teach me in this experience?

You might not hear an answer right away. And that’s OK — be patient. The act of opening the conversation begins to shift your vibration ever so slightly.

Closing Thoughts

As we step into a new year—a time when many of us reflect on who we are and who we want to become—it’s the perfect moment to pause and ask: Are the stories I’m telling serving me?

This is the foundation for something deeper. Here at The Vibration Movement, we explore how to build a sustainable way of working and living by wrestling with three core questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Can I trust in something greater than myself?

When we’re bogged down by fear or limiting beliefs, it’s hard to see clearly. But as we begin to tell better stories—stories rooted in truth—we begin to show up with more peace. More clarity. More trust.

As C.S. Lewis once said: “You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Coming next: We’ve explored the first clue you’re clouding your vibration—reactivity. Next, we’ll dive into physical tension and how to learn from it to cultivate your vibration. For more context on the clues, check out this post.

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