I don’t remember exactly how I stumbled across Dr. Amy Johnson‘s book. “The Little Book of Big Change“, but I am so happy I did.
About:
Little changes can make a big, big difference! In The Little Book of Big Change, psychologist Amy Johnson shows you how to rewire your brain and overcome your bad habits – once and for all.
No matter what your bad habit is, you have the power to change it. Drawing on a powerful combination of neuroscience and spirituality, this book will show you that you are not your habits. Rather, your habits and addictions are the result of simple brain wiring that is easily reversed. By learning to stop bad habits at the source, you will take charge of your habits and addictions for good.
I was originally drawn to this book because I study habits, thoughts, moods and addictions. I study systems of lifestyle design. I work with clients around their issues to optimize their life, to have them thrive and live life like they’re in love with it. I also have gone through relapses with my addiction to food and bingeing, as well as have had a myriad of self-loathing, and depressive (which is just the addiction of negative thoughts) episodes. You can read a lot about my journey and tools that help simply by searching “binge”, or “depression”, or “kindness” or whatever topic you desire in the search bar on my side bar ——->
Having heard that the author Amy herself had dealt with bingeing (and I myself have gone through food addiction and its relapses), I was even more curious as to what she had to share about her healing journey. For her, it came in the form of insights, a term she would refer to often in her book.
How I like to think of insights: they’re downloads from the universe. A sudden thought that pops up into your head placed by the divine entity that is always guiding us.
My key takeaways:
- Your natural state is one of abundance, health, and happiness. You are not your past habits, you are not your past mistakes, experiences, or addictions. Just like the sky is always there, one that is clear and beautiful, that is your natural state; and the clouds are simply passing thoughts/actions/feelings that flow in and out. They may block the view of the sky by clouding it with thunder and rain, but your natural state never wavers; the sky is still there. Your natural state cannot be taken away; but the clouds will come and go.
- Just like the urge to self sabotage will come, it will also eventually leave. If we hear it out, allow it to be here, and sit with it, it will pass a lot sooner than trying to push it away with willpower.
- So what do you to do end an addiction? You don’t. Do. Anything. <–according to Amy. You wait for a solution to be presented to you. You for it to come find you (this can come from an insight, it can come from an invitation for an opportunity to happen). I still find this concept, the concept of not putting any action into your manifestation, hard to believe. I like and resonate with the message of trust, peace and surrender that her message instills, but I’m not sold on the part about complete inaction. I think there needs to be a balance of allowing insight, and putting things into action, however miniscule that action may seem to be.
Can it really be that easy, though? To just allow the natural flow of abundance, or self-healing to occur on its own without my having to grind, and push, and beat myself up for not being disciplined enough?
I think partially so. I am certainly open to this idea. And, I know it’s true because my intuition tells me so. I’m thoroughly impressed with this unique approach Amy has. <3 I love how she intertwines spirituality with neuroscience.
She also has a course called The Little School of Big Change (enter “THEFITTY” for $50 off!) that, I’m curious about enrolling in provided that I’m able to enroll based on a few financial factors in my life…crossing my fingers, because I would really love to!
^EDIT–> I DID! And it starts in March, so I’ll let you know how it goes, OR, I’ll see you in it!
So! I reached out to Amy…and she’s signed a copy for me to give away! How cool is that?! (Amy if you’re reading this…thank you for your patience, you’re awesome!)
How to win?
Make sure you’re subscribed to my newsletter (which you can do by entering on the side bar)! —-> and make sure you give Amy a follow on Instagram to check out more of her content for a bonus entry :). I’ll contact the winner in 1 week!
Best of luck, and hey–if you don’t win, you can always pick it up on amazon, or even better yet, put the knowledge into practice and allow more flow in your life by enrolling in The Little School of Big Change (enter “THEFITTY” for $50 off!).
What’s a thought or habit on repeat you’d like to correct? What’s your take on Amy’s philosophy?
