💌 WITH LOVE, DOMINIQUE

Bringing meditation, mindset, and spirituality down-to-earth to empower your authenticity & greatest potential.

 📚️ VOL 13/ 🕖️ READ TIME: 4 m 01 s

IN TODAY’S ISSUE:

• 💭 WE’RE DIVING INTO / MOVING THROUGH COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

• ✏️ WAYS TO PRACTICE / TIPS FOR MOVING THROUGH COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

•  📞🧘 WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER / CURRENT OPENINGS & OFFERINGS

DIVING INTO: MOVING THROUGH COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

Let’s talk about one of the biggest reasons real change can feel so uncomfortable — even when it’s exactly what you want.

It’s called cognitive dissonance — and it’s a mind trip we all experience.

In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance refers to that internal tension or stress you feel when your actions and your beliefs don’t match. And while it’s completely normal, it’s also wildly uncomfortable.

It’s the reason you can:

• Set a boundary and immediately second-guess yourself.

• Finally, take action on a dream and then feel like a fraud.

• Block off time to rest and then spiral about all the things you “should” be doing instead.

Here’s what’s really happening:

✨ You’re making a new choice that aligns with who you’re becoming —
But your old belief and nervous system hasn’t caught up yet.

And in those moments, your mind says: “If this feels this hard… am I doing something wrong?”

But the truth is: discomfort ≠ wrong.
Discomfort often just means you’re evolving.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how this plays out in real life:

🧠 You want to start setting better boundaries...
But you still carry the belief that doing so is selfish.
→ Cue the nervous system guilt and mental overthinking when you say “no” or ask for what you need.

🧠 You want to finally go for the business or creative idea...
But you’ve been conditioned to believe you’re not “ready” or “good enough.”
→ Cue the nervous system discomfort which leads to distracting yourself with basically anything to procrastinate when you take that first step.

🧠 You want more space, rest, and balance in your day...
But you’ve been taught that productivity = worth.
→ Cue the nervous system anxiety and mental “I should probably…..” the moment you slow down.

None of this means you’re broken. It means your nervous system is trying to make sense of two competing realities: who you’ve been, and who you’re becoming.

The bad news?
Your brain is wired for comfort, not growth. It wants to run the old program on autopilot — even when it no longer serves you.

The good news?

You’re a human. And humans are deeply habitual.

Which means with repetition, intention, and support — new patterns can become your new normal. Your actions today can literally rewire your brain for ease, alignment, and expansion.

So when that inner friction hits, instead of backing off, try this:

Ask yourself — Is this uncomfortable because it’s wrong for me? Or because it’s new for me?

Then think of your future self — the one who’s already living in the freedom, alignment, and self-trust you’re working toward —

What would they do in this moment?

And see if you can take one small step closer to that version of you.

You’ve got this. Growth is meant to feel awkward. But the version of you on the other side?

They’re gonna thank you for sticking with it.

✏️ WAYS TO PRACTICE: MOVING THROUGH COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

So how do you actually practice moving through the discomfort of growth? Here are a few practical ways to ground yourself when cognitive dissonance shows up:

1. NAME THE DISSONANCE OUT LOUD

Instead of spiraling in confusion, try this:

“I’m doing something new that feels right for where I’m going, but it feels wrong because of an old belief I used to live by.”

Naming it helps your nervous system pause and recalibrate.

2. USE A BOTH/AND MANTRA

When the guilt or doubt kicks in, remind yourself:

“This can feel hard AND still be the right step.”

“I can feel uncertain AND still be aligned.”

“I can be scared AND still be showing up as my future self.”

These mantras help hold space for both parts of you: who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.

3. CREATE A FUTURE SELF ANCHOR

Pick one small, easy action your future self would take and do it.

Example:

• Set the boundary and put your phone away for 10 minutes after to resist people-pleasing.

• Block off rest and light a candle or play music to remind your body it’s safe to slow down.

• Post the creative idea and take a walk instead of refreshing for likes.

The action doesn’t need to be big — it just needs to signal: “I trust this version of me.”

4. TRACK THE WINS — ESPECIALLY THE UNCOMFORTABLE ONES

Keep a note in your phone called “Evidence I’m Growing.”

Write down the times you honored a boundary, chose rest, or showed up even while doubting yourself. These moments are gold. They prove your nervous system is stretching.

5. ASK BETTER QUESTIONS

When the discomfort hits, pause and ask:

“Is this uncomfortable because it’s out of alignment… or just unfamiliar?”
This one question will build discernment instead of letting fear call the shots.

None of this needs to be perfect. Just practiced.

The more you repeat these tools, the faster your beliefs will catch up with your actions — and the smoother change will feel over time.

Which of these are you going to try this week? Hit reply and let me know — I love hearing how you put these into practice 💬

🧘 📞 WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER: OPENINGS & OFFERINGS

Ready for deeper support or feeling the nudge to work together more closely?
Below are the current ways you can step into this work — from high-touch coaching to powerful group experiences. These offerings are designed to help you realign, recharge, and move towards your vision with clarity and purpose.

If something speaks to you, trust that pull — I’d love to support you!

1:1 Clarity CALLS ☎️ 

30-60 minute, a-la-carte mentorship calls for those looking to unblock limiting or self-defeating patterns and step into personal power across Career, Relationships & Life!

APPLY FOR THE Muses PROGRAM, 2025 - FALL GROUP 👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 

A high-level, women-only group program for ambitious founders, creatives, and visionaries ready to reignite their power and step into their most expansive self — professionally, relationally, and personally. This 12-week, invite-only program blends meditation, neuroscience, and habit psychology to create a clear, transformational path toward bold, aligned results. Capped at 8 women for intimate, impactful coaching.

APPLY FOR Ambition to Alignment 1:1 COACHING ✨

Private coaching for high-achieving leaders, creatives, and founders who’ve reached success but feel stuck, disconnected, or unfulfilled. Designed for those navigating high-pressure lives with a quiet craving for more, this program blends meditative rewiring, subconscious work, and vision-led strategy to unlock clarity, fulfillment, and lasting internal transformation — across work, relationships, and life.

💌 WITH LOVE, DOMINIQUE