“Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. – Michelle Obama”

Feeling empowered is essentially the opposite of feeling powerless.

Feeling empowered is believing you are in control—I don’t mean having to call the shots 100% of the time—control is also controlling how you respond to situations that you aren’t in control of. Empowerment is about knowing that you’re in charge of your own life and you have the strength and confidence you need to make decisions and changes.

Going through a divorce, breakup, job loss, any unexpected challenging situation can make you feel powerless. So how do you empower yourself after you have gone through a challenging time in your life? Here is a list to get you started!

8 Ways To Empower Yourself

• Express Yourself

Empowerment is largely about being able to express your thoughts and feelings, articulately, unapologetically, but respectfully.

• Check In With Yourself

In this hectic, fast-paced world, intentionally taking time out of your busy day just for you can be one of the most empowering things you do. Even if it’s just 5 minutes.

• Clean Up

It’s hard to feel empowered if you’re surrounded by chaos. It’s an amazing feeling to purge the things you no longer need. Can’t purge some of the larger items like a couch—sounds like it’s time to rearrange the furniture and get a few new throw pillows! 

• Do Good, Feel Good

Doing good for others in whatever way, shape, or form can be extremely rewarding. There is actually a phrase called a “helpers high” because when you do something kind for others, your brain releases endorphins which are the feel-good chemical of the brain.

• Failure Is Not A Bad F Word

Failure has such a negative connotation, but failing at something is an opportunity to learn. We learn from every situation and experience, especially those that don’t turn out how we expected them to. Your marriage “failure” is not the end of your story, it’s the beginning of your comeback story!

• Be Vulnerable

It’s easy to want to keep your guard up after life has punched you in the face. But if you constantly have walls up to protect yourself from getting hurt again, you are also missing out on all the good that can happen if you put yourself out there. Being vulnerable is a risk, but it can lead to wonderful experiences and lessons.

• Happiness Is On You

If you feel like it’s someone else’s responsibility to make you happy or someone else’s happiness is entirely your responsibility—you’re bound to end up feeling powerless. You’re not responsible for anyone’s happiness but your own. Other people in your life can enhance your happiness just as you can be a contributing factor to someone’s happiness—but in the end, you are responsible for your own happiness.

• Positive Self-Talk

When you catch yourself thinking negative or self-critical thoughts, acknowledge those thoughts, then clap your hands loudly and pretend you have squished that thought! There are several NLP Techniques that can support you to dismantle your inner thoughts. When you start doubting yourself, repeat after me, “I GOT THIS!”

Personal empowerment and self-esteem go hand and hand. It is about taking control of your own life, and making positive decisions based on what YOU want.

Remember, YOU GOT THIS!

A life coach can support you during your empowerment journey by providing tools and helping you stay accountable. To learn more about working with me visit my website at www.goodthingsaregonnacome.com

XOXO