VISUALIZATION
First Impression
first impression visualization first impression visualization first impression visualization first impression visualization
Visualization is a method used to help people achieve their desired outcomes. The purpose is to obtain something in the future by imagining that you already have it now. Before anything is created it’s a simple thought first. By visualizing your desires you’re one step closer to achieving them.
Returning to your past is part of the Reunite with You journey, so when you utilize a visualization you aren’t just envisioning the future. The goal is to remember your genuine sense of self and bring it into the present moment. From there, picture or feel how you can integrate your identity so that it follows you into the future.
Before you begin this visualization, go through past photos of yourself and pick out your favorite ones. These can be from childhood until today. Select photos that represent who you genuinely are or an authentically enjoyable experience. You should light up or feel a positive connection with each one.
Once you’ve selected at least 5 pictures, print them out or put them in a separate folder on your phone. Then once you’re ready to begin the visualization, bring your photos with you and find a quiet, relaxing place to be by yourself.
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Close your eyes and imagine yourself in your mind. Picture your body from head to toe. Then take a moment to observe where you’re located. Do you see yourself in a meaningful location, a familiar spot, or in vast nothingness? Also take note of your position and posture. Are you sitting or standing, close or far away, straight or hunched? Really visualize your stance.
Now notice what you’re wearing. Is it your favorite outfit or just an everyday look? Let yourself envision the details of your full ensemble. Finally, pay close attention to your expression. What emotion is emanating from your face? Once you’ve taken time to thoroughly examine the image you have of yourself in your mind, open your eyes.
How do you feel? What impression are you left with? Did you focus on your flaws, or did you imagine yourself in a position of power, strength, and confidence? If you weren’t overcome with love, joy, or appreciation towards yourself, then it’s time to take out your pictures.
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Stay in your comfortable position and take a few minutes to look through your selected photos. As you look at each one, remember how you felt in that moment. Pay attention to how happy, excited, or satisfied you look and appreciate that feeling. When you’re in this state of admiration it’s hard to see yourself as anything other than who you are. Hold onto this new, enlightened image of yourself as you close your eyes and continue the visualization.
Now, reimagine yourself -but this time in the third person. Perhaps you see the same image as before, but instead of examining yourself, you’re going to meet yourself. Picture your ‘observing self’ as anyone else other than you. You could be a friend, partner, parent, or a nameless stranger. However you envision it, imagine yourself as this person walking up to meet the real you.
When you reach yourself, visualize the person you saw in the pictures. See yourself filled with light, energy, confidence, and power. Don’t focus on how you look or what you’re wearing. Instead, notice the inner beauty that radiates beyond your body. You are greeting yourself not as you, but as a friend or loved one. Someone who sees beyond your exterior to who you truly are inside. This is your true impression.
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When you are ready, open your eyes and embrace the positive feelings that linger. If you’d like, you can look at yourself in the mirror now and see beyond your expectations. Try to see yourself through the eyes of someone who loves you. Remove your limiting assumptions and intentions about who you think you are, and look deeper to remember who you know you are.
How we envision ourselves affects how we see, thus externalize, ourselves. So if we’re not impressed with our inner image, how can we like the outer one? In order to change how we see, thus feel, about ourselves, we must view ourselves with a sense of newness -like we’ve never met ourselves before. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don’t let your overcritical impression last when you can recreate a first impression every time you look in the mirror.