How to Use Triggers to Clean Up Your Subconscious in 6 Steps

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How many of you go ballistic at times? You explode with frustration or anger when someone says that one thing or does something. And you just can’t control it.

Maybe you see your frenemy post something on Instagram. Or your boyfriend just doesn’t listen to you the first time. Or your dog eats up your favorite notebook. Or people keep disturbing you when you are working.

These are all triggers. What makes you explode emotionally might not make me react the same way, and vice-versa.

Don’t have time right now? Save it for later! 

1. Become Aware

Notice the next time you explode.

Let’s say your boyfriend zoned you out.

– “I was grabbing lunch in town, after meeting Emily – you know Emily, the girl we met at the party – when I walked past HM. I noticed there was a sale, so I walked in. I thought I could find a cute purse, but they didn’t have any practical ones. I was about to leave, when I noticed a pair of super cute gloves and I fell in love! I assumed they would be super expensive, but then something told me I should check out the price, so I went there, and they were on sale! I grabbed them instantly! They are suede with gorgeous detailing, kind of chic, yet edgy at the same time… you know what I mean right?”

– …
– “Right?”
– …
– “TED!”
– “Yeah! Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”
– “You never listen to me!. Oh my god I am sitting here talking for an hour and you aren’t even listening to me? What are you thinking about? How can you be so zoned out? How dumb are you! Ugh, you are so stupid, I just don’t even know why I am dating you. You are so pointless. Just go. So stupid!…” and on you go with your explosion.

At this point, notice that this was a trigger. An unwarranted explosion. Of course you had a right to be upset, but gauge the level of your reaction. If it makes you feel hot inside and really agitated, it is a trigger.

This can be hard sometimes because we try to justify our reactions and put the blame on the situation or the person. While the situation or person might be wrong, it is also important to assess YOUR reaction to the situation, because THAT will tell you what lies hidden in your subconscious.

2. Go Deeper

Now that you have identified your trigger and are aware of it, go deeper. Question it. How did this trigger make you feel? There are many levels to intense triggers.

The first layer can be sorrow, rage, or frustration. In this example, it was rage and frustration.

Now question that. But why are you so frustrated?

The second could be an insecurity; that you aren’t interesting enough to listen to. You aren’t funny, entertaining, or witty enough – even your boyfriend is zoning you out.

Go deeper. What bothers you so much about not being interesting enough?

Now we reach the root cause – the subconscious programming.

One of the best ways to seek answers is to journal. But it is a practice (so don’t worry if you are bad at journaling right now).  

3. Uncover the Root

At this point we can identify WHAT belief is programmed into our minds that makes us act out so intensely when we are triggered.

In this situation, the reason you are so affected by the fear of not being interesting enough could be because you believe you are not worthy. You feel ‘less than’ in life. You have spent your entire life trying to be worthy of success, love, abundance, and happiness, but deep down, you don’t feel good enough.

And THAT is the programming in your mind that you need to remove. 

(But first, you should celebrate because you uncovered the crap that was so deeply hidden! Open champagne or have a dance party, and be PROUD of yourself for coming this far!)

4. Address the Root Cause

Now that you are aware of the root cause of your trigger, you can do so much! Awareness is the first step in change!

1. Heal the Inner Child

So you have your root cause: the belief that you are unworthy and less-than. It is time to go deeper (yup, still more digging).
Answer these questions:

• Why do you have this belief?
• Who told you this when you were a child?
• When was the first time you felt this way?
• What happened when you were a child that made you adopt this belief?

After answering these questions, talk to your inner child. Imagine you as a kid (or find an old photograph of yourself), and talk to her. Tell her that she is loved and she doesn’t have to feel this way. Tell her that she is invaluable!

2. Release the old beliefs

Answer the following:

• How has this belief kept you safe and/or comfortable?
• How has this belief benefitted you? (Maybe it has let you stay in your comfort zone at work rather than working a little harder for that promotion. Maybe it has let you take the easy route and give up on your dream because starting a business is too hard.) 

Now tell her it is safe to release this old belief. That this old belief is no longer serving you.

What are limiting beliefs? Find out what’s holding you back and how to change that! 

5. Transform the Root Cause!

Rewrite your negative statements. 

Rather than thinking “I am not worthy” all you need to do is say “I AM worthy”. 

Add FEELING. “I am SO worthy”.

Say “ I am an effin worthy badass amazing b***” (if you speak like that. I do).

Say it in the mirror. Dance to it. Sing it! Have FUN with it!

Did you know your ego mind loves to keep you safe and in your comfort zone? 

6. The Work Doesn’t Stop

So, when you are triggered the next time, you might stop for a minute before exploding.

The second time, you might actually remember that your frustration and anger is just a manifestation of YOUR negative beliefs.

The third time you are triggered, you will remember your negative belief and instantly switch it to the positive one. 

And over time, as you rewrite your beliefs, this process will get easier and come much more naturally, to a point where you aren’t triggered anymore because the negative belief is no longer there! 😀

And that is where you want to be 🙂

Conclusion

It is likely that this process will take time. You won’t be magically absolved of your triggers. But if you keep doing this subconscious work, you will definitely see a change. I guarantee that. But only if you actually do it (just reading this blog post won’t help).

And the best part is that not only will you feel less triggered and ultimately have better relationships and more stable emotions, you will also be rewriting a negative subconscious belief you didn’t even know you had!

And imagine how much more success that will bring you! If you start believe you ARE worthy, you ARE valuable, you ARE loved, how would you show up differently? What risks would you take? What actions would be different?

Healing one negative belief that is hidden in your subconscious can create a positive impact all over your life!

Want something to create the perfect self-care routine for yourself?  Practical, helpful, but not overwhelming, and GIRLY? Check out this Self-Care Routine Workbook! It helps you create your routine and then track how successful it is!

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