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MY STORY

YES YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH.

HERE'S HOW I STOPPED DOUBTING AND STARTED BELIEVING.

Dear Friend.

I have had more than my fair share of feeling not good enough. No time in my life has been more intense than the first four years living off-grid.

The self-doubt back then was so strong, I felt hopeless, devastated, and scared.

But none of it was true. I came through, and if you apply the 10 lessons in todays letter, you will too.

Because you are worthy. You are enough. And soon you won't feel dragged along, like some annoying bus taking you to that part of town that you hate.

Today's letter is a full blown crash-course on not feeling good enough. I'll show you how I changed that chatter, and started living my best life.

Let's begin with your inner critic. Read on.

GIVE ME 8 MINUTES AND I'LL TEACH YOU TO BE FEARLESS

Discover how I beat anxiety, overcame depression, and calmed my anger, all while surviving in the wilderness.

THE SECRET TO SILENCING YOUR INNER CRITIC (FOR GOOD).

LESSON ONE.

That inner voice that keeps putting you down is never fun. You know the one, it keeps saying that "you are not (something) enough." That something can ruin your day. It did for me.

I'd have this goal I was aiming toward. Like a health goal, a new relationship, or a financial dream. Whatever it was, that old mental judge would wreck the party.

That's exactly what it does. Judge. It judged my choices, second-guessed my decisions, and destroyed my joy.

I'm sure you can relate. But what if I told you, that you CAN mute that negative chatter whenever you needed to?

The secret isn’t positive thinking or forcing confidence. It’s something far simpler—and far more powerful. The former can feel like treading water. But the latter is what I discovered living outdoors.

When I first moved into the wilds, self-doubt hit me like a ton of bricks. I'd move forward two steps, then something would snap. The negative thinking would flood my mind like a dam burst. It felt like I was being dragged back, more than two steps.

But here's the truth about those thoughts.

What I found was this:

• They're noise. Nothing more.
• They're usually not true.
• They NEVER limit my ability to act or move forward.
• They're all based on societal conditioning.

Plus, they are secondary to all experience. This is the key.

You see, I'm lucky. I had no choice but to keep trying. My life depended on it. And it still does.

So I had to penetrate the pain.

THE GAME-CHANGER: SWITCH THE MENTAL CHANNEL

Our minds focus, and there are two channels. One is the description of what's happening. Sometimes it's positive. Other times it's judgy. So damn judgy. That description is secondary, and is what you perceive and receive. Call it the observed. It always comes after the main event.

The primary channel is your awareness. This primacy of your experience is that part of yourself which experiences. Call it the observer.

Without it, any description wouldn't exist. It is your presence, right now and here, experiencing everything. It's always been there way before the descriptive part of your mind starts jabbering away.

So I had to make a choice. Either distract myself with negativity, leading to less energy and an accident.

Or change the channel. Switch my focus to my awareness.

Here's what I do when negative thinking starts:

• I pause my mind.
• I relax my body.
• Instead of describing, I focus on feeling, listening, and looking all around me.

What this did: was shift the focus out of that tiny narrow-minded description of me. I'd open up to the infinite view of everything at once.

That brought me instant relief. I wasn't hurting myself with the negative self-talk anymore. Instead I was observing everything at once.

The voice became silent. Muted. All the energy I wasted doubting myself returned to me.

I could then use that energy to form positive ideas. Like, "it seems hard but I'll keep trying." Or "what can I learn from this?"

Plus, solutions became clear, achievable, and obvious. I was open and engaging with everything around me, so I could see what to do.

This is a practice. By that, I mean you have to keep doing it until it's no longer needed. You have to keep changing that channel.

We've all had conditioning life-long to see ourselves as unworthy, worthless, and flawed. Because of that conditioning, it'll come back. So you have to keep changing that channel.

It's like hitting the pause button and resetting your operating system. But here's the cool thing.

The more you do it, the more it does itself. Sciences mirrors what I'm saying.

Your brain experiences first, judges second (Gazzaniga, 2018). Raw perception hits before the inner critic even wakes up.

When you drop the story, you feel the moment. That allows your amygdala to relax (Holzel et al., 2011). You shrink stress like a deflating balloon.

Negativity is a battery thief (Wagner et al., 2015), hijacking focus like a parasite. But you can rewire that conditioning with reps (Davidson, 2012). That means every pause carves new grooves until calm becomes default.

Speaking of conditioning, let's look at revamping those negative beliefs next. 

Keep reading.

COMMENTS

FEELING TENSE?

Relax with a few deep breaths.

Click the circle to begin.

DON'T FORGET YOUR EXTRAS

Remember to scroll to the bottom because I've made you a powerful wellness video.

Today's video is an easy 5-minute guided meditation that changes self-doubt into courage.

This video is super potent. I've combined many proven psychological loopholes into one seamless process:

• Physiological Regulation (long exhales calm the nervous system).
• Cognitive Defusion (separating from self-doubt thoughts).
• Somatic Awareness (locating doubt in the body to release it).
• Neuroplasticity (replacing old thought patterns with empowering ones).

The meditation builds self-trust by combining mindfulness with actionable reframes.

Plus, I've layered a whole host of well-being techniques that do all the heavy lifting for you:

• ASMR Water Sounds (relaxing your nervous system).
• Binaural Theta Frequency 4-8 Hz (the brainwave frequencies for deep meditation). 
• Affirmational Self-Hypnosis (getting you instant real results). 
• Relaxing Water Patterns (captivating conscious attention while opening subconscious mental access).
• Subliminal NLP Suggestion (breaking limiting or negative beliefs). 

This video is best enjoyed with headphones so you can immerse yourself in the magic.

Also, ensure you download today's printable. With the digital painting comes an adult coloring art therapy worksheet.

So you can print that out too, color it how you want, and enjoy the soothing peace of creativity.

Finally, if you want a framed print, remember to get your 10% discount all in the extra bonus part of this page. Download your extras here.

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Ever Feel Like No Matter What You Do, You Keep Asking Yourself: Am I Good Enough?

It's no fun when it feels like you are never good enough. For the job, the relationship, or the dream you've held onto since childhood.

I hated feeling stuck in self-doubt. That sticky anxiety, like there was some invisible measuring stick. Or an annoying backseat driver, always telling me I was failing—no matter how hard I kept trying.

It's an exhausting battle when self-doubt creeps in like a tarantula.  Dealing with that fear can feel like wading through sticky cobwebs. Or sinking in quicksand, while all you want to do is get on with your life.

Thoughts like: "Who do you think you are?" or "You’re not smart/talented/deserving/attractive enough." plague our minds and hearts. Those whispers can make your day difficult. Those annoying worries can stop you from doing the things you want.

When the exhausting fear of being 'found out' holds you back from the life you know you could have—it's time to break free.

What if I told you it doesn't have to be this way?

That you can break the barriers of those suffocating thoughts—for good? And that you can achieve your wildest dreams?

In today's letter, I’ll show you exactly how I stopped worrying about being 'good enough' and how you can, too.

I share with you a period in my life when my confidence was at rock bottom. Back then my self-doubt seemed insurmountable. I didn't think I was good enough.

I had to face it while surviving in the wilderness, a situation where stopping wasn't an option. 

Despite all the painful mental blocks, I found a way to live my dream life. A Life free from fear. Although it wasn't easy, I made it, and if I can do it, so can you.

This is the Ultimate Guide to Feeling Good Enough.

You'll see how it is possible to overcome all the negative thoughts and keep making progress. You'll learn how to silence the discouraging internal voices that seem to get in the way.

I'll give you detailed direct examples from my life. You'll get the practical mindset hacks that made the most difference to me. I'll break it down into easy-to-follow techniques to make sure you ditch self-doubt for good.

Ready to finally silence the critic within and live your best life? Let’s begin.

CONCLUSION & KEY TAKE AWAYS.

To conclude today's letter, remember: YOU ARE ENOUGH. Your doubt doesn't signify failure, defeat, or fact.

You feel everything because you are powerful. A power distorted by societal conditioning.

You break the spell doubt has over you by interrupting those thoughts.

Step back. Challenge that thinking, and reframe yourself as the wonderful potent being you are. Give yourself that respect.

Break challenges down into smaller risks. Take those risks and build adaptive confidence like a string of pearls.

The thoughts that make you wonder if you are good enough are doorways. They are the gatekeepers of courage, and all it takes is for you to stand up for yourself.

Give yourself the same kindness as you do your loved ones. You deserve that kindness. You deserve love.

So start doing that now. And if you need encouragement, come back to my art and words whenever you want. I did this for you.

The freedom you want in the confidence you don't yet feel starts in the mind. You do have the power to change.

It's your time. You have never been your doubt. You are always enough. Believe.

Thanks for reading.

Yours,

Jamie

HOW TO FINALLY BELIEVE YOU’RE ENOUGH (WITHOUT FAKING IT)

LESSON TWO.

Faking it till you make it may work for a short while. But in the end, fake confidence is exhausting. The problem is that if you don't believe it, you'll be forcing those smiles forever. Pretending is tiring, and it can feel like you're treading water.

Plus, after you do it for so long, you start to believe you are a fraud. Imposter syndrome seeps in like water to a broken boat. In the end, it sinks.

The only time it's applicable is right at the beginning. And only for a short while, to get the ball rolling.

After that, if you continue, it's a trap. That's the problem with emotional masks. They build up pressure.

You end up putting more pressure on yourself to look perfect, say the right thing, and be the "best". It’s a performance that leaves you empty.

Now, real belief in yourself? That doesn’t come from pretending. It comes from proof.

Proof is fact. Evidence that leaves a trail in your mind, a pathway to belief. This is adaptive confidence. The knowledge that you can handle whatever it is. A belief in yourself that stems from experience.

Proof works both ways:

• You can use it to challenge the negative thoughts. Example: "What evidence do I have that this isn’t true?"
• You can use it to restore self-belief. Example: "I’ve helped people. They thanked me. That’s real."

For me, in the wilderness, I had to take risks. Every day was a new invitation to test myself. It didn't matter how small the challenge, what mattered was that I survived.

For example, I had to carry water. Sometimes still do. It sounds like something most people take for granted. For me, it was life-changing.

That point where I had enough water for two days. Two whole days I could do something else.

Then I could challenge the doubt that said: "You are an idiot, you'll dehydrate to death out here."

My doubts were deadly back then. For me it wasn't "everybody is judging me", it was more like "I'm stupid and will die out here."

So then I could say: "HA! I got two days of clean water. Pulled it straight out of the ground. So no. I'm not dehydrating today. I can do this, and I will."

But I had to take those risks. I had to get the experience. Out here there was no time to fake it. And no one to see that performance.

THE 'STRING OF PEARLS' TECHNIQUE

Every time you take a tiny risk, you gain wisdom. Especially if it doesn't work out like you planned. Pearls symbolize wisdom because it takes work for those tiny grains of sand to become pearls. It also hurts the clam. So sometimes it's uncomfortable.

Comfort doesn't foster growth. Facing the uncomfortable does.

When you have wisdom, doubt becomes meaningless. I know if I have to handle a fallen trees during storms, I can. I have that confidence because I've faced it so many times already.

Even if the tree was immense, I had the wisdom that could push me through. This happened when a tree fell on my water system. Instead of going back to the old "See, you idiot, you'll die out here", I knew I could handle it. And I did.

My pump was up and running within 30 minutes. I had a string of pearls to rely on. I had the experience to trust in myself.

Here's how you do it:

• Take a goal you have that makes you feel unconfident. (Example: "I want to build a good social group of friends.")
• Break it down into smaller risks to get you there. (Example: "Talk to strangers at an event.")
• Do one a day. Even if it's tiny. (Example: "I looked online for events to join.")
• Document each in your journal. Write down how you were enough while taking the risk—even if you didn’t feel it. (Example: "I showed up for my new friend even while exhausted.")
• Challenge doubt. Every time your feel doubt, ask: "What evidence do I have that this isn't true?"
• Trust the string of pearls, not the fear. Your feelings lie. Facts don't. Return to your journal and read up on yourself. Sooner rather than later, you'll start to trust and believe. There will be no need to document.

Example:

• Doubt: "I'm a fraud. No one wants to be my friend."
• Evidence: "I've helped people. They thanked me. That’s real."

The more you take those risks and add those pearls, the harder it becomes for doubt to win.

Speaking of how thoughts and emotions lie, let's break down some of the most common lies we tell ourselves.

Keep reading.

5 LIES YOUR SELF-DOUBT KEEPS TELLING YOU (AND HOW TO STOP THEM)

LESSON THREE.

Your self-doubt is a liar. It stems from self-preservation. Although it wants to keep you alive, that fear of death limits your ability to grow. Here's how to call its bluff:

LIE #1: "YOU'RE NOT READY."

• Truth: Nobody is 100% ready. Action creates readiness. You get ready by taking that first step.
• Fix: Take one small risk now. Even if it's tiny.

LIE #2: "THEY'RE JUDGING YOU."

• Truth: The few who matter want the best for you. Most other people are too busy worrying about themselves. Everyone else doesn't care.
• Fix: Ask: "Do I remember anyone else's mistakes from last week?" (Usually not.)

LIE #3: "YOU'LL FAIL."

• Truth: Failure is data, not destiny. It's the gateway to greatness, a pearl of wisdom, and a lesson in how to be your best self.
• Fix: Plan your "what if it goes wrong?" backup. Now fear loses its grip, and your progress explodes. Always have a backup plan. It's how you become unstoppable.

LIE #4: "YOU DON'T DESERVE THIS."

• Truth: Worth isn't earned; it's inherent. If you desire something enough, and if you're persistent, you can and will get it. That's willpower. Even tiny seeds of grass penetrate concrete over time.
• Fix: Replace "Do I deserve it?" with "Do I want it?"

LIE #5: "IT'S TOO LATE."

• Truth: The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best? Now. Pick a direction that inspires you, and be persistent in your pursuit.
• Fix: Name (or look up) one person who succeeded after your age. (There are millions.)

Talking about lies, let's look at one of the worst people tell you. The whole "you're too much" line.

Keep reading.

WHY YOU’RE NOT 'TOO MUCH' (AND NEVER WERE)

LESSON FOUR.

Emotional and volatile. That's how I used to see myself. As soon as I hit school, the floodgates opened, and I got angry. People talk all the time about sensitivity.

And in my case "intensity". "Too intense," "too emotional," "too sensitive," and of course "too much." As an empathic human, you may suffer blowback when you pick up on something that seems wrong.

And finally, after being so kind and sweet, you make a move to stand up for yourself, and everyone hates it.

Even if you say nothing, sometimes people pick up on your vibes and punish you.

I got punished. For me, it felt like anger. I hated being in a system, that system. The one that's falling apart as I write this letter.

I always sensed something was wrong. But then got labeled as too sensitive, intense, and emotional when I voiced what I felt, or fought back.

I also have zero tolerance for bullshit. As soon as I pick up on abuse of any kind, even tiny, like someone trying to one-up themselves, I snap.

Now here's the pivot.

Sensitivity is power. But with all power comes responsibility. When it comes to high sensitivity, you must cultivate rock-solid resilience. That resilience has to be the foundation for everything you feel.

Then, instead of being "too much," you start taking advantage of every single situation. Every single one.

BECAUSE BEING SENSITIVE IS A SUPERPOWER.

It's an ability to see, feel, and experience way more than others. You have more power than those who may have duller receptivity to the world at large.

The world needs sensitivity, intensity, and emotional experience. Otherwise, why do we have such a beautiful and bizarre world in the first place? All that magic would get missed.

For many people, it is. So, it may seem lonely, but loneliness is a misconception. So is sensitivity.

It's power, the power to see and know way more than the average desensitized mind can handle.

But here's the other side of the coin. You have to learn how to handle it. Or how to own your power.

#1 DON'T BLAME, INSTEAD REFRAME YOURSELF:

I used to blame myself for not being normal. I hated my sensitivity. But that is a pointless waste of energy. So instead of believing what others say about you, reframe it to your advantage:

• "Too emotional" = empathic.
• "Too sensitive" = perceptive.
• "Too intense" = alive.
• "Too much" = powerful.

Now if anyone says "You're too much," you can reframe that as, "I'm powerful."

#2 PROTECT YOUR ENERGY

It's important to recognize, that not everyone deserves your attention. Especially toxic people. Too many of us stay in toxic situations because we're empathic.

If you care too much, you end up drowning while trying to pull others out the water.

You have every right to walk away. You have the power to cut ties, leave people, and give zero explanation why. If people don't treat you right, there is no need to stay in that situation or see them again.

You have to start standing your ground. That means choosing who stands by you.

#3 FIND YOUR TRIBE

The right people will love who you are. That means your wildness too. Otherwise, you end up pretending to be something you're not, for people you don't like that much anyway.

Explore connections with like-minded individuals (like the extra-special readers of this letter). Find others that like you for you. Build a network. It doesn't have to be massive. But it does have to be genuine.

Genuine connection is hard to find, easy to lose, and priceless when you have it.

#4 FOCUS ON SELF-CARE

The less you take care of yourself, the more volatile you'll feel. Most empaths are way too busy taking care of everyone else to focus on themselves.

It's time to put yourself first. It's your time. So make sure you cover the basics:

• Food sensitivity can impact how you feel. Experiment with what brings you peace.
• Rehydration is crucial. Without it, your stress levels increase. Get good filtered water in as much as you can.
• Lack of sleep is also a factor. Focus on restful sleep when possible, and take more breaks. Tiredness leads to burnout fast.
• Poor micro & macro nutrition is a huge issue for many people. Simple electrolytes can make or break your day depending. You need that healthy balance, and you deserve it. Never make excuses, you are worth it.
• Creativity plays a significant role in happiness. It's fundamental for your self-care routine. Make time to play, be wild, and explore what you can create.
• Meditation and reflection is a human right. It's part of your spiritual growth. So give yourself that gift.

#6 BE ASSERTIVE

Standing up for yourself doesn't have to look like aggression. Assertiveness is quiet, confident, and doesn't budge. Here's how:

• Never negotiate your needs. Speaking up isn't "rude," it's dignified. You deserve respect. Boundaries are important.
• Use the "Broken Record" technique. Repeat your position without explanation ("I can't take that on.") until the message lands. Remain cool, calm, and collected.
• Relax your shoulders, stand still, firm, and lower your center of gravity. If you feel like your body wants to shrink when asserting yourself, plant your feet. Relax. Lower your gravity center by bending your knees a little. Your weight should rest through the balls of your feet. It's easier to change how you feel via body language than thinking.
• "No" is enough. It doesn't need justification, apology, or alternative offers to be valid.

#7 BUILD RESILIENCE

Resilience makes you unbreakable. It gives you the flexibility to bend with the breeze. You can feel it all without losing yourself. It's not about being unemotional, robotic, or unfeeling. It is about returning to your center. You learn to ground yourself and trust in your ability to overcome, regardless of what you feel.

The key that unlocks the gates of resilience is your awareness. When you practice observing thoughts and feelings you break their power over you. You notice that part of yourself that is the same before, during, and after.

That 'observer awareness' isn't fazed by experience. It experiences. It's when we lose ourselves in the changing winds of ups and downs that feels wobbly.

That happens through identifying with the negative descriptions, like "I am worthless."

Instead, return to your unbreakable resilience by:

• Pausing your mind, even for a moment.
• Recognizing your awareness.
• Allowing whatever you feel to be.
• Letting those thoughts or emotions pass by.
• Carrying on with your day.

This technique seems simple, but its effects are profound. You nurture a sense of unshakable stability, and the more you return to it, the stronger it gets.

Speaking of resilience, let's look at how doubt doesn't stop high performance.

Keep reading.

THE UNSPOKEN TRUTH ABOUT FEELING ‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’

LESSON FIVE.

More often than not people who doubt themselves are more competent than they believe. Research backs this up. It's even got a name, the 'Dunning-Kruger effect.'

My problem is perfectionism. I can get too precious about making things perfect. That sometimes brings doubt to the forefront of my mind. I start thinking "This isn't good enough," then I felt unsure, and then it spirals into "I'm not good enough."

Out here in the wilderness, like I mentioned before, those doubts seem deadly.

But here's the crazy thing...

When I look back, every time has been an opportunity. It's a mirror of many things:

• I have high standards (not low worth).
• I practice self-reflection (not weakness).
• I focus on improvement (not fear of failure).
• I care about doing good work (unlike true imposters).
• I aim to be my best self (not comparing myself to others).

So in a sense, that doubt made me do better work. In a way, it can be a superpower. As long as you reframe it to your advantage.

Because even the best of the best doubt themselves. Even the most revered get days when they don't feel it.

We all get doubt because everyone wants the best while being able to see what could go wrong.

So then, it's not about not feeling doubt. Instead, it's about learning how to handle it. To do that, it's important to reframe fear.

What I found out here, was that I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself. That meant I had to act fast. So what I did was reframe the pain as an opportunity for growth.

Instead of evidence that I would fail, I changed my perspective to how to do things better. Try this:

• Pause your mind. Stop the chatter.
• Relax your body, and open up your focus.
• Take a mental step back. See doubt from the perspective of your observer awareness.
• Observe don't absorb.
• Now reframe. Instead of a negative description, write a new story. Say: "This means I'm growing."
• Return to your pearls of wisdom. Look at how far you've come.
• Affirm to yourself: "I act despite fear."

Remember: Diamonds only form under pressure. Your discomfort isn't proof you're failing. You are a diamond. This is growth. Trust yourself.

Talking about trust, it's time to give yourself permission to be who you were born to be.

Keep reading.

HOW TO STOP WAITING FOR PERMISSION (AND START LIVING)

LESSON SIX.

Permission to be who you were born to be is something you never have to ask for. It's innate in you being. We all get taught that we have to wait for someone else to say we're good enough.

Waiting for someone else to say you are "ready" is fear of failure.

The forever waiting room of failed dreams never goes anywhere. You never needed to be there in the first place.

All you have to do is pick a direction that inspires you and be persistent in your pursuits.

In the forest, I'm reminded of death daily. Sounds morbid, but it's not. It's liberating. Because there are no survivors here. That means there is no time to waste waiting for permission.

I spent most of my school years hiding my competency. It wasn't cool back then to be intelligent, artistic, or better than others at sports.

I'd get bullied for being bright. Even the teachers were hateful. So I hid it all. Waiting for the time when someone would say: "OK now be you."

Much later, when I returned to this beautiful woodland, it was risky. I had to keep moving forward. Even if I got sick, I still had to go carry water, chop wood, and keep the cabin warm and dry. The simple brutality of nature nurtured my momentum. There was no time to hesitate.

So don't you dare give in to the belief that you need permission. Pick a direction. Take small risks daily. Watch what happens. Give yourself permission. You are worthy. It is your time. It always has been.

Next, let's looks at why doubt comes up, and how to rewire your mind.

Keep reading.

THE UNEXPECTED REASON YOU DOUBT YOURSELF (AND HOW TO FIX IT)

LESSON SEVEN.

The sympathetic nervous system works for survival. It will do everything it can to avoid death or lose control.

The good news is that means your doubts don't have anything to do with your abilities. What this points to is past trauma.

There are studies that self-doubt stems from trauma. That was the case for me. My life has been a wild adventure. Incredible highs, and life-shattering lows.

I saw that I'd built a prison to protect myself from perceived threats. This often came in the form of suggesting I wasn't good enough.

Moving back into the wilds made me face death daily. That protective reflex became obvious.

All the years of trauma came to the forefront. Each one desperate to save my life, while impeding my progress.

It's ironic that this survival reaction did nothing for my survival whatsoever. I had to push through every one of them. Face every fear. Look into every shadow.

I had to retrain my nervous system. I had to relearn bravery. And fast. There was zero time to sit around feeling sorry for myself.

Today's wellness video is a potent meditation. I use a heap of psychological loopholes to support you. You'll retrain that trauma response on autopilot. It is possible. I've done it many times. Make sure you download that ASAP. Because you can use it whenever your sympathetic nervous system gets upset.

In a nutshell, here's the process:

• Pause your mind, and rest your attention.
• Observe how you feel, and affirm that it's an old protection mechanism.
• Place a hand on your heart and breathe deep, focusing your attention on your chest.
• Notice any tension in your body where you may be holding onto this fear.
• As you breathe relax, and allow your nervous system to unwind.
• Grow the sense of peace in your heart, until it relaxes your whole body.
• Affirm that you can handle the challenges. You don't need the alarm bells ringing anymore.

That's a basic blueprint. The video does all the work for you and makes it effortless to rewire your trauma responses. I guide you through each step so you don't have to worry if you're doing it wrong. All you have to do is play it on your phone. Listen with headphones. That's it. Download that now and see for yourself.

Talking of why doubts comes up, lets dive deeper into why empaths have a hard time.

Keep reading.

WHY EMPATHS STRUGGLE TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES (AND WHAT TO DO)

LESSON EIGHT.

Sometimes being empathic can feel like a blessing and a curse. It did for me. I'd always try to be there for others, and it would leave me exhausted.

Burnout used to hit me several times a month.

When I landed in the wilderness I had a ton of emotional baggage. It weighed on my shoulders like a rucksack full of jagged rocks.

I kept replying painful past stories in my head. It was like watching annoying reruns of the same boring soap-opera.

I discovered two things that gave me a massive breakthrough.

I started studying to be a counselor and researching ancient philosophy. I've always had a deep connection to both philosophy and psychology. They overlap. Between the crossover, wisdom shines through all shadows.

One significant gem of wisdom between the two, is how we treat memories. There's a concept in psychology that looks at the past as chapters in your life story.

Open past chapters drain your energy. You can get drawn back into similar stories with different people. It's exhausting.

The ancients say your energy records every interaction. Energy gets trapped in those past communications.

Trapped energy drains you. We keep repeating the same patterns. Each repetition loses more energy and continues the negative cycle.

Being an empath means by default you take on everyone's emotions.

You can also hold onto the past for dear life.

That's because your sensitivity is power. It's heightened perception and broader awareness. That is a blessing, but it means people like you and me need to protect ourselves.

I was dead tired, well beyond running out of steam when I saw what I was doing. It was right there, spelled out in two different schools of thought.

I was:

• Absorbing other people's emotions like a sponge.
• Carrying old trauma with me like a heavy bag.

Both mistakes shattered my self-belief and confidence as a result. 

The solution also overlaps. You have to free all those trapped emotions. You have to close past chapters, and take your power back.

For me, it had to happen because out here distraction and low energy led to painful mistakes.

Here's what I did, and how you can too:

• Drawing your energy back from others. First thing is to let go of other people's bad vibes. It helps to use the breath as a tool and find in your body where there is lingering tension. Inhale in to draw your energy back, and exhale to release the tension. Visualize the situation and person. Use your breath to feel your energy returning and theirs releasing. 
• Creating an emotional shield. Now you use your heart to visualize a shield protecting yourself from others. Again, use the breath to focus attention on the heart. As you do, surround yourself with a protective warm glow. Inhale to feel the warmth of your heart grow, and exhale to feel the shield expand around you.
• Distancing yourself within. You must start to break the attention trap of negative emotions. To do this, pause your mind, and stop thinking. Then focus your attention on awareness. Break the spell of negative feelings and take a step back inside yourself. Observe but don't absorb.
• Question your thinking to let go. Consider if your doubt is fact, or a vibe from someone else. Ask yourself "Is this doubt mine, or is this someone else's fear?"

Speaking of solutions, let's go through a simple hack to shut self-doubt down.

Keep reading.

THE 3-SECOND TRICK TO SHUT DOWN SELF-DOUBT

LESSON NINE.

For many, self-doubt comes at the worst times. Usually, you'll be in the middle of a conversation when it creeps up on you.

I remember the feeling of dread, coupled with thoughts like: "Did I say something stupid?" "Do they think I’m clueless?" My chest tightened as my mind raced.

It can feel like the worst downward spiral. Panic can set in, and doubt ruins your day.

It doesn't have to be like that, and there's a way to stop doubt dead in its tracks. You can flip the script of doubt in 3 seconds. All it takes is a pause to break the story. A question to challenge the thoughts, and an answer that comes from kindness.

Zero affirmation, journalling, or overthinking required. A simple, science-backed trick. You flip the script before your inner critic finishes its sentence.

During the first few years out here every interaction felt like this. My sense of self was so low. I didn't even feel worthy enough to talk to anyone.

The breakthrough is simple. I had to face that negativity within and challenge it. I found that I had to be brave enough to stand up to the distortion within myself.

Doing so had an incredible effect. My mind changed. Each time I stood up to doubt I gave my confidence a compounding boost.

Repetition transformed my social experience. Now I never notice it. Or I experience it as excitement, not fear.

This technique works well. You can distill it into a 3-second burst, that doesn't take time out and saves you a ton of wasted energy.

As soon as you feel self-doubt creeping in do this:

• Pause. (1 second) Stop thinking. Shift your focus away from thoughts. Feel your body. Sense the ground beneath your feet.  Look into the distance.
• Ask: "Would I let a friend talk to themselves this way?" (1 second) Think about your loved ones. Place yourself in their shoes, like they were the one suffering.
• Answer. (1 second) Hold that same kindness you felt asking the question. Lovely give yourself some slack.

This works by interrupting distorted fear patterns. It puts you in the position of observing, not absorbing. Being an observer changes the victim mentality. Doubt loses power, while you gain confidence.

Finally, let's round this letter up with proof that you're not a victim.

Keep reading.

YOU’RE NOT BROKEN—HERE’S PROOF

LESSON TEN.

You aren't hopeless. Nor broken, nor any other doubt-fuelled description. I believed all those lies.

That's what they were, lies. Because when I looked at my life the facts were so far from the fiction I told myself.

Below is a list of reasons. Save them, go back to them, and remind yourself of your true worth whenever needed.

#1. YOU CARE.

Broken people don't care about anyone. They obsess over themselves. Their sense of self-importance is all that matters. Your empathy is a gift that works. It is perfect, and confirmation that you are alive.

#2. YOU SHOW UP.

Broken machines stay idle. They never turn on. They gather dust and wallow in self-pity. You reset yourself daily. You keep trying, even if it doesn't feel so great.

#3. YOU SEEK GROWTH.

Broken vehicles can't move forward. They stay static, and unmovable. You're here, aiming toward a better future. You're reading this, and have a desire to change.  

#4. YOU ARE KIND.

Broken buses can't help anyone reach their destination. Even when you don't feel your best, you still offer help to those who need it.

#5. YOU FEEL ANGER.

Dull senses bring disaster. Those who can't see reality for what it is get burned. Your sensitivity serves as a gift. You can protect boundaries, and stand up for those who need it.

#6. YOU BELIEVE IN BETTER.

Broken records repeat until everyone gets annoyed. Your boundless imagination composes new music.

#7. YOU CELEBRATE SMALL WINS.

Fractured spirits can't see progress, they end up crawling in circles forever. Your gratitude is proof of vision. A vision that leads somewhere, even in tiny steps.

#8. YOU APOLOGIZE.

Damaged people never self-correct. Your accountability is a superpower. 

#9. YOU HOPE.

Cracks in the pavement don't heal, they widen. Your stubborn love for life is the healing this world needs.  

#10. YOU LOVE EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT PERFECT.

Shattered things never risk connection. Your brave heart keeps trying, even when it gets messy. 

You are not broken. You are enough. Believe.

My mission with this project is to help humans dispel fear, and live their best life. If you're not a subscriber yet, I have something special for you.

Because if you give me 8-minutes I'll teach you to be fearless. I've created a beginner video course on fearlessness.

Click below to learn more.

GIVE ME 8 MINUTES AND I'LL TEACH YOU TO BE FEARLESS

Discover how I beat anxiety, overcame depression, and calmed my anger, all while surviving in the wilderness.