Despite all of the advances in psychology, showing that our brains are plastic, we continue to believe that it’s too late to change who we are. “I’m stuck in my ways,” we tell ourselves. “I’ll never change now; I’m too old.” But while statements of these might sound like the truth, they’re anything but. Our minds have an astonishing capacity to rewire themselves, allowing us to overcome the past traumas – or whatever else – that’s holding us back. Changing your mindset usually starts with interventions you would never expect would make a difference. Sometimes a decision that you make in a seemingly unrelated area of your life than can have unanticipated knock-on effects. A change in your exercise habits, for instance, could lead you to develop better health and a positive disposition which then ultimately allows you to change some aspect of your personality you don’t like. It could give you the energy and motivation to make alterations which, otherwise, would never have happened. Other times, the changes you make are directly related to the problem you want to solve. Let’s say, for instance; you’re a “stressed” or “anxious” person. If that’s the case, you might try things like mindfulness, meditation, adaptogenic herbs, yoga, pilates or long walks in the woods.
Whatever approach you adopt, you need to believe that change is possible. If you don’t, then you’ll take a cynical attitude to whatever interventions you try, fundamentally undermining any progress you’d like to make. So, what are the most potent interventions to give yourself a character makeover and develop as a person?
Try Experiential Therapy
What is experiential therapy? Mostly, it’s a type of treatment in which you recreate past traumas to see them from a different perspective. For instance, if an event in your life has been holding you back, experiential therapy allows you to work through it, lessen its impact on your life, and fundamentally move past it so that you can continue to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Read About You Weaknesses
If you have a weakness in your personality, then read as much as you can about it. Find out about what underlies it and what you can do to change it. Often, you’ll discover that problems emerge from deep-seated fears that you have about yourself or the world.
Speak To A Therapist
Often professional therapists can provide insights as to why you have some of the personality traits you do. While many are genetically inspired, others are the result of the environment and the way that you think about the world.
Engage In Positive Daily Habits
As humans, we’re creatures of habit. Eventually, the behaviours we adopt become the people we are. If we make an effort to speak more to our extended family, eventually it becomes second nature. The same goes for eating well, exercising, and being positive about our lives. The more we repeat the same behaviours, the more likely they are to stick and become a part of who we are.
