The Power of Reframing

Reframing is one of the tools in the coaching toolbox, and it's one that I have been actively refining in my own life. What is reframing? It is taking a step back to find a new perspective. Often we get stuck in the familiar narratives which are often twisted towards the negative of a situation or rationalizing being stuck in habits that no longer serve our best interests. When we choose to reframe, we open our minds, hearts, and eyes to see from various angles.

As these angles emerge, we can often find something positive or a new opportunity in the midst of whatever circumstance we may be going through. Let's take for example, a situation where we experience a setback. Maybe we lose the plot and end up breaking our healthy eating. Maybe we experience a closed door that we expected to open. We can allow this to defeat us, or we can build resilience and recognize there's more than meets the eye.

Instead of falling into the trap of being defeated, we can choose to crack the door to curiosity. When we crack the door to curiosity through seeking to assess our circumstances from new angles, the opportunity for insight and growth emerges. We recognize the deeper circumstances that led to our emotional eating and start to address the underlying unmet need. We turn our vision away from that closed door and see a new door cracked just slightly, inviting us to explore.

I have found myself reflecting on and reframing inner narratives recently. I have had opportunities to get in touch with the unsettled parts of me, ask why they are unsettled, and seek ways to reframe my thought processes towards accepting what is. Through seeing parts of my life with a new, more broad lens, I am more capable of not only accepting what is, but embracing the opportunities that lie within the adventure. As I have been able to see the underlying adventure within various external circumstances, the labels of "good" and "bad" are giving way to simply different, and different is ultimately okay. This reframe offers me peace of mind in that which I cannot change as well as confidence in enforcing boundaries that protect my peace. It's laying down the hammer of blame, accepting life as it is, and embracing inner peace in the process though making active choices that support my core values.

Reframing isn't meant to bypass what we are going through, but instead seeks to find opportunities to look at the bigger picture so that we can make wise and informed decisions. Reframing pulls us out of a mentality of feeling defeated and pulls us into finding gratitude, hope, and courage to keep moving forward. It has the power to ground us back into who we are, what we value, and how we choose to approach life. Have you ever had a friend offer some deep wisdom or encouragement that pulled you out of your self-limiting thought process? That is a reframe in action.

So, how can we tap into reframing in our own lives? For me, writing and journaling are the big factors. Also, sitting in deeper contemplative prayer with a mood of curiosity helps to bring buried insights to the forefront. If you're an artist, then tapping into intuitive art projects can help. Guided imagery or meditations can slow down the mind and nervous system enough to allow for our core selves to come forward with inner wisdom. Reading and researching can be powerful tools towards reframing, especially if we are finding ourselves stuck in certain narratives that we know are unhealthy for us. Reaching out to a trusted friend or mentor can help us organize our thoughts and weed out the junk from the gems.

Asking the right questions is also powerful.

"What if I looked at this circumstance from another angle?"

"What resources from my past can help me understand this situation better?"

"What am I afraid to accept, and how can I calm that fear?"

"What resources are available to help me grow through this circumstance?"

"How can I choose a new response next time?"

"What are the positive aspects coming through?"

"What am I learning about myself?"

Reframing can help us define a new reference point. It broadens our vision, and helps us build on our inherent strengths to keep moving forward. This is one of the key benefits of working with a coach. Someone who can find the hidden gems and shine a light on what we may not be able to actively see ourselves. I have benefited greatly from others who have offered me an opportunity to reframe, and I am grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward for others.

Interested in learning how this works in action? Please be in touch and we can book a free discovery call to see what coaching can do to help you live your best life.

Photo Courtesy of: Inga Gezalian via Unsplash