By Bonnie Durkin -8/6/25

By Bonnie Durkin -8/6/25

Author, Speaker, Energy Alignment Practitioner & Personal Empowerment Coach

Flipping the Script on Stuff That Stresses You Out

 We all have certain subjects in our lives that trigger stress, worry, or fear the moment we think about them. These “bad feeling” topics vary from person to person, but for many people they include things like money, health, relationships, career, or body image. Maybe you have one, or a few, that come to mind right away. The problem is, when a subject consistently feels heavy or negative, it tends to spiral quickly. You start thinking about it, and before long you’re knee-deep in a cascade of worst-case scenarios. But here’s the good news: you can shift how you feel about any subject. And when you shift the way you feel, you change what you attract. In this post, you’ll learn how to gently pivot a negative topic using a process that blends emotional awareness, vibrational tuning, and light-hearted imagination. Let’s start by understanding one simple but powerful truth:

Every Subject Is Two Subjects

Every topic has two vibrational sides: What you want What you don’t want Take money, for example: On one side, there’s prosperity: more than enough, ease, abundance. On the other, there’s scarcity: not enough, fear, debt, pressure. The emotional charge you carry around a subject tells you which side you’re currently tuned to. And because of the Law of Attraction, whatever you focus on—and feel emotionally—is what gets reflected back to you. Your emotions are your built-in guidance system. When a topic triggers frustration, anxiety, or fear, it means your thoughts about it are out of alignment with what you want. So, how do you shift that?

Why Positive Thinking Doesn’t Always Work

If you’ve tried repeating affirmations or practicing “positive thinking,” you may have noticed that saying something like “I am financially free!” doesn’t always feel great—especially when your reality says otherwise. That’s because your words are only part of the equation. If what you’re saying doesn’t feel true, your emotional vibration contradicts it. To shift a subject effectively, you have to find thoughts that actually feel better. Thoughts that evoke even a small sense of relief or hope are the stepping stones toward creating new, more supportive beliefs.

An Example: The Negative Money Spiral

Let’s say your refrigerator breaks, and you immediately go into panic mode:
“I can’t believe this happened. We can’t afford to replace it. We’re already behind on bills. What if we lose the house? What if someone gets sick and we can’t pay for it?”
This is what I call the negative ‘what if’ spiral. Your mind is spinning out worst-case scenarios faster than you can catch them. And every “what if” drags your energy lower. But what if you caught yourself mid-spiral and said: “Wait, stop. I don’t want this.” Then ask yourself: What do I want? Maybe your answer is: “I want to feel secure and supported financially. I want to have more than enough money to pay for what we need.” That’s a great start. From there, you begin to gently explore the feeling of what you want, without jumping into specifics or trying to “make it happen.” Here’s how.

Step 1: Get General and Gentle

Ask yourself: How do I want to feel about this subject? In the case of money, you might say: I want to feel ease. I want to feel supported. I want money to feel light and fun. I want to feel like money is a friend, not a stressor. Keep your statements general and emotional, not logistical. Why? Because specifics often trigger resistance or doubt, while gentle emotional focus creates space for alignment.

Step 2: Play the “Wouldn’t It Be Nice If…” Game

Once you’re feeling a little better, you can start to play with more possibility using this powerful phrase: “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” This phrase helps you reach for better-feeling thoughts without pressure or attachment. It’s soft, curious, and full of potential. Try it: Wouldn’t it be nice if some unexpected money showed up? Wouldn’t it be nice if we found a great deal on a new fridge? Wouldn’t it be nice if I felt calm and confident about money? Wouldn’t it be nice if my income started to grow effortlessly? Notice how these thoughts feel lighter. You’re not forcing anything. You’re opening the door.

Step 3: Use This Process on Any Topic

This isn’t just about money. You can use this process to shift your energy around any topic: A difficult relationship Body image Health challenges Work stress Just follow the same path: Notice when you’re spiraling. Pause and ask, What do I want instead? Feel your way into better-feeling general statements. Use “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” to gently open new possibilities.

Experiential Exercise: Your Shift Script

Try this short practice today: Pick one subject in your life that often feels negative or heavy. Write a list of the thoughts you usually think about it (no judgment). Now, ask yourself: What do I want instead? Write 3-5 general emotional statements about how you want to feel. Add 3-5 “Wouldn’t it be nice if…” statements to build positive momentum. Keep this list nearby. Read it aloud when the subject comes up. Let yourself begin to rewire the emotional charge.
If your mind is always thinking something, why not choose thoughts that feel better? Instead of scaring yourself with worst-case “what ifs,” start delighting and inspiring yourself with hopeful “wouldn’t it be nice” scenarios. You don’t have to fake positivity or pretend everything is perfect. Just reach for a little more ease. A little more possibility. A little more peace. Because the better you feel, the better your life begins to flow. You get to shift. You get to feel better now. You get to create a new story. With lightness and love, Bonnie
The "I Get To Shift!" 7-Day Challenge - experience the power of a mindset shift in just one week! Take our FREE 7-Day Challenge and see how your Perspective & Mood start elevating and transforming with simple daily shifts!

Ready to change your perspective and feel lighter, happier, and more empowered in just 7 days?

What if three simple words could change how you feel… and how you live? “I GET TO…”

I Get To Shift! – 7 Day Challenge 
A gift to help you kick off summer in a higher vibe.

Every day for 7 days, you’ll learn how to shift from “I have to” ➝ “I get to”
…and watch how your mood, energy, and outlook on life transform.

You’ll get:

  • Daily mindset shifts
  • A beautiful printable workbook
  • Simple practices that uplift your emotions + attract more good
  • A deeper connection to gratitude and possibility

Science shows that just 7 days of consistent practice can actually begin to rewire your brain.

How? It all comes down to neuroplasticity—your brain’s incredible ability to change and adapt. Every time you choose a new thought, reaction, or way of seeing something, you’re creating new neural pathways. And when you do that over several days, those pathways strengthen—making it easier to think differently, feel better, and act with more intention.

This challenge is based on the most-loved concept from my book The Appreciation Game: A 30-Day Process to Increase Happiness, Satisfaction & Well-Being. Day Nine – I Get To… This process is the one so many people told me was their favorite and even life-changing. And this 7-Day Challenge is also a sneak peek into my next book, which is all about how shifting your perception changes your life.

I hope you’ll join in this fun experiment in changing perspective & building good feeling momentum!

You get to feel good!

You get to choose your perspective!

You get to start now!

What Percentage Are You Aligned With Your Desire?

Do you have a desire that you want to create/manifest/live? Want to find out how aligned you are with it and how many things are contradicting it that need to be released and re-aligned? Click below and fill out the form to receive your complimentary Energy Alignment Assessment.
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