10 Mindset Shifts to Transform Your Life: A Practical Guide
Reading time: 3.30 minutes
Written by: Annmarie Borosic
Lately, I’ve found myself having more and more conversations about mindset, especially around relationships, travel, fear, and desires. People often ask how I decided to make the choices I’ve made. Other times, assumptions are thrown around about how I must feel. The truth is, I’ve felt a wide range of emotions. Like many of us, I’ve dealt with self-sabotage; at times, I still do. Making decisions that lead to a better life—whatever that looks like for you—will never be easy.
How could it? Making a change means doing something differently. Stepping into a world of unknown and out of our comfort zone. And let’s be honest, it’s terrifying.
What I’ve learned in making big decisions—whether leaving a toxic relationship, quitting a job without a backup plan, taking a solo trip, or moving halfway across the world—is that I had to choose. I had to make the definitive decision that my current reality was no longer how I wanted to live, and I needed a change. Whether it turned out to be the biggest mistake or the most fulfilling choice, I owed it to myself to at least try. And that’s where I struggled for a long time—the belief that I owed it to myself.
“We all deserve the life we long for. You deserve happiness simply by being you.”
If I had to guess, you’ve probably been there too. Maybe you didn’t think you worked hard enough to deserve that promotion. Perhaps you blamed yourself when your partner was unkind or believed you didn’t deserve that little treat because you missed a workout. Maybe you felt guilty about taking an hour for yourself because you didn’t finish tasks for your kids. But now, something’s changed. Why now? For me, I simply got tired of feeling unworthy. I started asking, “Why can’t I just have what I want without feeling like I have to overwork or ‘earn it’?”
The truth is, we all deserve the life we long for. You deserve happiness simply by being you. And here’s the beauty of it: by allowing yourself to be happy, you inspire others to do the same.
It took me several years and is very much still a work in progress of how to maintain the mindset of being worthy of taking a day to myself, doing that interview, taking a vacation, buying myself a little treat, letting go of someone in my life that might be great, but not great for me. I don’t owe an explanation to anyone for my choices (definitely still working on this one) except to myself and ensuring it’s bringing me peace. The way I see it is if I can be my best version, I can also be a better, healthier version for those around me.
I’m a huge advocate for therapy, and I think we can all benefit from it. Just like we get annual physicals, shouldn’t mental health checkups be just as important? But that’s a conversation for another day.
Here are the steps I’ve taken to cultivate a strong mindset that empowers you to create the life you desire:
Decide it’s time. Not “maybe one day,” or “when X happens.” Make a clear decision that you’re ready for change. This is the driving force behind everything that follows.
Get clear on your current mindset and the one you want. Where are you now, and what mindset do you want to adopt?
Identify your ‘why’. Knowing why you want to change will keep you motivated when things get tough.
Build your confidence. Write down 3-5 things you love, or even like about yourself every day. Over time, you’ll be amazed at how this simple habit strengthens your self-esteem.
Write affirmations. Start with ones you can believe, like “I am capable of taking the first step,” and gradually add bigger ones, like “I am worthy of a life filled with joy.” Keep these in an area where you can see everyday.
Reflect in silence. Sit alone for 15 minutes, three times a week, and ask yourself how you’re feeling and why. Write down your thoughts to gain clarity.
Do a content purge. Review the content you consume—whether social media, news, or conversations. If it doesn’t align with your desired mindset, let it go.
Unfollow comparisons. Stop following people who make you feel bad or who you constantly compare yourself to. Everyone’s journey is different.
Start your day with gratitude. Every morning, say, “Thank you for today and this new opportunity. Show me how good it can get.”
Practice gratitude. This one saved me during tough times. Simple statements like “I am grateful for having the mobility to feed myself” can shift your perspective.
I’d be lying if I said that once you start implementing these tips, life will become easy. In my experience, it’s not that simple. Life has tested me time and again, challenging everything I’ve worked towards, and it can be incredibly exhausting. You might feel healed until you’re faced with a situation that pushes you to put your growth into practice. Truth be told, I find it very annoying sometimes. There are ways to cope when going through it, but we can touch on that more later.
