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🦮What Did You Really Choose? Exploring the Illusion of Free Will

🌀How much of your life is truly of your own making?

Welcome back to "The Microdose Diet" newsletter, your trusted source for achieving success, passion, and happiness in life and career through alternative medicines like microdosing psychedelics. 🍄

In the grand theater of life, we often pride ourselves on being the architects of our own destinies. We believe that every twist and turn, every success and failure, is a result of our deliberate choices. Yet, lurking beneath this facade of autonomy lies a complex interplay of forces that challenge the notion of free will. The saying "not choosing is a choice" echoes in our minds, forcing us to confront the uncomfortable truth: how much of our lives are truly of our own making?

I have been pondering this choosing / not choosing conundrum regarding my own life as I am looking back at choices I thought I actively made but now seem awfully predestinated! The interesting thing regarding predestination is that it works both ways: making the choices you were supposed to based on your background, but also making the opposite choices you were supposed to. In both cases theses choices are not based on free-will, but are made in reaction to your own circumstances.

Nietzsche illustrated it nicely in his critique of Christianity. He argued that Christianity emerged as a reaction to the oppressive forces of Roman culture, not as an expression of individual choice. Mind-bending, right?!

More importantly, what does it mean for you and what can you do about it?

🛝Strength of Momentum

Human existence is governed not only by the choices we make but also by the inertia of past decisions and experiences. Your path is shaped not just by your conscious intentions but also by a myriad of factors such as upbringing, social environment, and genetic predispositions. These forces create a momentum that propels you along certain paths, often without even realizing it. You may believe you are steering the ship, but in reality, you are passengers swept along by the currents of circumstance.

Consider, for instance, the career paths you choose. How much of it is driven by genuine passion and ambition, and how much is dictated by societal expectations or familial pressures? Many find themselves trapped in professions they never intended to pursue, simply because it was the path of least resistance or the one laid out for them by others.

Where do you stand when it comes to your current circumstances? Do you wish for changes but struggle to make them happen? Fret not, I have tips for you below, just keep reading ;)

Want to Take a Step Back? Pre-Order The Microdose Diet to Help You Navigate the Changes You Want (and Need!)

😶‍🌫️ Difficulty of Being Present

In our fast-paced world, the art of being present is increasingly elusive. Your minds are constantly bombarded with distractions, pulling you away from the moment and into a whirlwind of thoughts and anxieties. This lack of presence makes it difficult to make truly conscious decisions. Instead, you operate on autopilot, reacting to stimuli rather than actively choosing your course of action.

How often do you find yourselves scrolling mindlessly through social media, or reaching for comfort foods without even considering healthier options? These actions are not the result of conscious deliberation but rather the product of habit and conditioning. You and I are slaves to our impulses, unaware of the forces that drive us to behave in certain ways.

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🧠 Consciously vs. Subconsciously

At the heart of the matter lies the distinction between conscious and subconscious decision-making. While you and I like to believe that our choices are the product of rational thought and careful consideration, studies have shown that much of our decision-making occurs at a subconscious level. Our brains are adept at processing vast amounts of information, often leading us to make choices before we are even aware of them.

This subconscious influence can be seen in various aspects of our lives, from consumer behavior to interpersonal relationships. Marketing experts exploit our subconscious desires to sell products, while psychologists study the hidden biases that shape our perceptions of others. You may think you are acting of your own accord, but in reality, your subconscious mind is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

The Brain Power Microdose is the essential tool to rewire your brain for more presence, success, passion and happiness.

💡Why Does It Matter?

In a world where the illusion of choice reigns supreme, why does it even matter whether your decisions are truly your own? The answer lies in the quest for authenticity and self-awareness. By acknowledging the factors that influence your choices, you gain a deeper understanding of yourselves and your place in the world. You become less beholden to societal expectations and more attuned to your true desires and aspirations.

Moreover, recognizing the limits of your free will allows you to cultivate empathy and compassion for others. You better understand that everyone is navigating their own set of circumstances, and that judgment and blame are often misplaced. Instead of condemning others for their choices, you will strive to offer support and understanding, knowing that you too are subject to the whims of fate.

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🔓How to Break Free?

🧘Be Present

One of the most powerful antidotes to autopilot living is the practice of mindfulness – the art of being fully present in the moment. Cultivate awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, without judgment or attachment. Learn to savor the richness of everyday experiences, whether it's the taste of your morning coffee or the warmth of the sun on your skin. By grounding yourself in the present moment, you break free from the grip of past conditioning and future anxieties, allowing for greater clarity and freedom of choice.

💻Reprogram Your Subconscious Mind

Much of our behavior is governed by subconscious programming acquired over years of conditioning and experience. To break free from predestination and autopilot, it's essential to reprogram your subconscious mind with new beliefs and patterns of thinking. Engage in practices such as visualization, affirmations, and hypnotherapy to implant positive messages and intentions into your subconscious. Challenge limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering narratives that align with your desired outcomes. Remember, the subconscious mind is a powerful ally in your journey towards liberation – harness its potential to effect lasting change.

🍄The Microdose Diet

I know easy to say to be “more present” or to “reprogram your subconscious mind” but how does one actually do that?! Fret not, I have you covered! The Microdose Diet guide you every step of the way on how to rewire your brain, calm your body, master your emotions and increase your energy to reach more success, passion and happiness. TMD is a 90-day plan that incorporates alternative medicines like microdosing psychedelics, tapping, visualization, and journaling to reprogram limiting beliefs, feelings and emotions into more expansive ones. This approach involves using microdoses of psilocybin in a safe and strategic manner.

❓Question Everything

The first step towards liberation is to question the assumptions and beliefs that have kept you tethered to preconceived notions of destiny. Challenge the narratives that dictate your choices and behaviors, and dare to explore alternative perspectives. Ask yourself: Are my current beliefs and actions aligned with my true desires and aspirations? By questioning everything, you open yourself up to new possibilities and pave the way for genuine self-discovery.

👣One Step at a Time

Breaking free from predestination and autopilot is not an overnight endeavor but rather a gradual process of self-transformation. Start by identifying one area of your life where you feel particularly constrained or stagnant. It could be your career, relationships, or personal habits. Take small, intentional steps towards change, whether it's pursuing a new hobby, initiating a difficult conversation, or setting boundaries with technology. Remember, progress is measured not by speed but by consistency and perseverance.

In conclusion, the notion of free will is a complex and multifaceted concept that challenges our understanding of human agency. While you may like to believe that you are the masters of your own destiny, the reality is far more nuanced. Your choices are shaped by a multitude of influences, both conscious and subconscious, making it difficult to discern where your true agency lies. Yet, by embracing this uncertainty, you can embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, unearthing the forces that shape your lives and learning to navigate them with grace and resilience.

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Share Your Thoughts and Join the Conversation

After watching the episode, share your views in the comments! Also, listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

😎 About The Microdose Diet

I'm Peggy Van de Plassche, a former banker and VC with 20 years in financial services and technology. "The Microdose Diet" combines alternative medicines like microdosing psilocybin for personal and professional growth.

Pre-order my book, "MORE! The Microdose Diet - the 90 Day Plan for Success, Passion, and Happiness," available on Amazon.

🧠 The Brain Power Microdose: Supporting Cognitive Health and Stress Relief

Thanks for reading, listening, and engaging. Follow me on Twitter & Instagram for more insights.

Remember, this newsletter is for entertainment and information. Always consult a medical professional for health advice. 🩺

#career #success #passion #happiness #personaldevelopment #professional development #themicrodosediet #psychedelics #microdosing #psilocybin

🤥Unveiling the Ultimate Gaslighting: "You Can Have It All"

🤥Unveiling the Ultimate Gaslighting: "You Can Have It All"

Welcome back to "The Microdose Diet" newsletter, your trusted source for achieving success, passion, and happiness in life and career through alternative medicines like microdosing psychedelics. 🍄

In case you are fuzzy on gaslighting, it is a psychological manipulation tactic aimed at making individuals doubt their own reality. The term actually came from the 1944’s movie Gaslight; it follows a young woman whose husband slowly manipulates her into believing that she is descending into insanity.

Gaslighting is definitely not new, it is actually a strategy that is as old as the world. It does feel omnipresent now though, probably because we have a name for it and that forewarned is forearmed. I just wish I had known about the concept as a kid, I would have avoided a lot of sorrow and mental anguish. Being sucked into others’ reality is not great (to put it plainly!), especially that gaslighting is done for the gaslighters’ benefits at the expense of the gaslighted. One is indeed rarely manipulated for their own sake.

As I am shedding more and more layers of illusions it has become hugely apparent to me that gaslighting has seeped big time into societal expectations.

🤥“You Can Have It All” = The Ultimate Gaslighting

Among the plethora of societal myths, "You Can Have It All" stands out as one of the most insidious forms of gaslighting, especially when considering the expectations placed on women.

The notion that women can (and should) effortlessly juggle a super successful career, look like a supermodel, raise wonderfully well-adjusted kids, be a fabulous spouse while being well-travelled, educated and pleasing (but still assertive) is at best damaging, at worst mental, emotional and physical subjugation.

This narrative suggests women can achieve the pinnacle of success in every facet of their lives simultaneously. However, beneath it all lies a profound and damaging gaslighting mechanism.

Want to level up your gaslighting radar? Order The Brain Power Microdose to get that extra help.

This story line sets an unattainable standard, creating a perpetual cycle of striving and feeling inadequate. The pressure to excel in every aspect of life, from career to relationships, is overwhelming and unrealistic. Unfortunately this script has been fed and absorbed by men and women alike, creating impossibly high expectations that are definitely not supporting women.

👸The Illusion of Perfection

This gaslighting is especially pernicious because it preys on women's insecurities that have been carefully cultivated since childhood (it is indeed much easier to manipulate an insecure individual, so let’s start them young!), as well as societal expectations. It suggests that any failure to meet these unrealistic standards is a personal failing rather than a systemic issue. Women are led to believe that if they just try harder, work longer hours, or invest more resources in their appearance, they can achieve the elusive "all."

In reality, this narrative serves to keep women trapped in a perpetual cycle of dissatisfaction, self-doubt and external validation. They didn’t set the rules of the games nor the impossibly high standards, but are nonetheless assessed by men and women alike based on these requirements.

Women are bombarded with messages that suggest their worth is tied to their ability to meet these nonviable standards, leading to a never-ending quest for perfection. This course for betterment in the hope of one day measuring up (and maybe finally feeling good enough) fuels consumerism. From the right studies, creams, clothes, home, private schools for the kids, workout to cottage, makeup, leisure, books, friends, vacation destination, the list of the things to do and have to look the part is endless. And this dynamic beautifully keeps everyone on the treadmill!

🤷‍♀️Manipulated into Obedience and Conformity

Moreover, the "You Can Have It All" gaslighting undermines the concept of choice and autonomy. Women are made to feel guilty for prioritizing their own needs and desires over societal expectations. The pressure to conform to this ideal leaves little room for individuality or self-expression.

Stepping down from the merry go round of measuring up to these unrealistic expectations is a challenging one as it would likely not been perceived and supported as a proactive choice, but regarded as a simple failure to measure up. This is such a vicious, self-reinforcing and, I have to say, elegant system I almost have to tip my hat to the generations of gaslighters who have been manipulating and ensnaring women!

Need a little help on how to break free from gaslighting? Pre-order The Microdose Diet for a guide to do just that!

The solution to breaking free from this toxic cycle lies in recognizing “Having It All” for what it truly is: a form of mass gaslighting designed to keep women perpetually dissatisfied and striving for unattainable goals. It requires challenging the societal norms and expectations that uphold this narrative and reclaiming agency over one's own life.

🔓Reclaiming One’s Freedom

Opting out of this destructive cycle doesn't mean settling for less; rather, it's about rejecting the false promises and unrealistic expectations that have been imposed upon women. It's about redefining success on one's own terms and prioritizing fulfillment and well-being over external validation.

The "You Can Have It All" gaslighting is a powerful mechanism that perpetuates unrealistic expectations and undermines women's sense of self-worth and agency. Breaking free from this cycle requires recognizing it for what it is and reclaiming control over one's own narrative. It's time to reject the illusion of perfection and embrace the messy, imperfect beauty of being human.

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Share Your Thoughts and Join the Conversation

After watching the episode, share your views in the comments! Also, listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

😎 About The Microdose Diet

I'm Peggy Van de Plassche, a former banker and VC with 20 years in financial services and technology. "The Microdose Diet" combines alternative medicines like microdosing psilocybin for personal and professional growth.

Pre-order my book, "MORE! The Microdose Diet - the 90 Day Plan for Success, Passion, and Happiness," available on Amazon.

🧠 The Brain Power Microdose: Supporting Cognitive Health and Stress Relief

Thanks for reading, listening, and engaging. Follow me on Twitter & Instagram for more insights.

Remember, this newsletter is for entertainment and information. Always consult a medical professional for health advice. 🩺

#career #success #passion #happiness #personaldevelopment #professional development #themicrodosediet #psychedelics #microdosing #psilocybin

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