It’s not uncommon for moms of adult children in the second half of life to get stuck in fear - rather than managing fear while living in hope.

Courtesy of author Kate Swobota, “the fear chain/hope chain” exercise will help you uncover the limiting beliefs beneath your fears so that you can intentionally focus on what you hope will happen instead.

For example:

“If I’m not needed by my adult children, I’m afraid that I won’t spend time with them.”
“If I don’t spend time with them, I’m afraid that I’ll feel disconnected from them.”
“If I feel disconnected from them, I’m afraid that I won’t matter to them any more.”
“If I don’t matter to them any more, I’m afraid that I’ll be abandoned.”
“If I’m abandoned, I’m afraid that I’ll always be alone.”

So my real fearful belief is that being “needed” prevents me from being alone.

Now, we flip it.

“If I’m not needed by my adult children, I HOPE that they’ll be strong and independent.”
“If they are strong and independent, I hope that they’ll create lives they truly love.”
“If they create lives they truly love, I hope that I’ll be an important part of those lives.”
“If I’m an important part of their lives, I hope that we’ll remain deeply connected.”

I’m curious to know - what did you uncover?

If you’re the mother of adult children who finds herself stuck in fear, rather than living in hope, I can help. I invite you to schedule a complimentary coaching call with me. Here’s the link:

Coaching Call with Terri

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My new book Intentional Intoxication: How To Deliberately Distill The Different Life You Desire, is available on Amazon. You can imbibe on the entire book in one, short, intentionally happier hour:

Intentional Intoxication Book

If you’re interested to know about how I can support you in overcoming the habit of escaping or chasing, I invite you to reach out to me by using the email below and we find a time to chat:

terribradwaylifecoaching@coachbradway.com

For a quick shot of your life’s current level of intoxication, I invite you to complete the 10 Questions on my Intoxication Inventory:

Intoxication Inventory

How To Live In Hope in the Second Season