Recognizing the Disease

For years, I lived with a debilitating disease—not one of the body but of the mind . It wasn’t cancer, diabetes, or any physical ailment. A negative mindset had taken hold of me. It wasn’t visible like a physical illness, but it was just as destructive. It influenced my thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes. I wasn’t just living life; I was reacting to it, trapped in a cycle of fear, doubt, and limited belief that something good could ever come my way.

I used to wonder: Why do bad things always happen to me? It felt like life was unfair, but in reality, it was me. I was the problem. The most difficult part was accepting that truth.

Negative thoughts have a profound impact on our lives. Studies have shown that negative thinking can increase stress, lower resilience, and even weaken the immune system. In one study published by the Mayo Clinic, researchers found that individuals with a positive mindset were 14% less likely to die from any cause than those with negative thinking patterns. The mind truly matters.

My journey to self-awareness didn’t happen overnight. It took stepping away from the noise of society, journaling through self-reflection, and finding clarity on the road, living across the United States in my RV.

The Impact of a Negative Mindset

When you live in negativity, you start to attract it. It’s like a magnet for bad outcomes, beliefs, and even people. My disease fed on itself, revalidating its existence over and over. My thoughts weren’t just negative—they were automatic, like muscle memory.

The truth is, when you live in negativity, you aren’t living at all. A report by the American Psychological Association highlights how chronic negative thinking can lead to anxiety and depression, keeping people stuck in the past or worried about the future. That was my life—physically present, but mentally trapped in my past.

It wasn’t until I started camping, exploring, and truly being present in nature that I realized how disconnected I was from my own life. Journaling became a key tool for me to identify the patterns holding me back.

My April 12, 2024, journal entry captures this realization perfectly:

Living on the road gave me the space and time to break free from this toxic cycle.

The Turning Point: Self-Awareness

Everything changed when I decided to stop blaming the world and started looking inward. My wake-up call came while failing community college. I had a choice: give up or figure out why I was failing. That’s when I realized the answers weren’t “out there” in the world—they were inside me.

This required deep self-reflection, even going all the way back to my childhood. It’s no surprise that research supports this approach. Studies in developmental psychology show that early life experiences shape our core beliefs, emotional triggers, and decision-making patterns as adults.

Movies like American Sniper highlight this idea, showing how a person’s childhood profoundly influences who they become.

My journal entry reminded me of this truth:

Living on the road amplified this process. Exploring nature, camping under the stars, and stepping away from digital society gave me the space to connect with my inner self.

Finding Joy Through Nature and Exploration

One of the most powerful lessons I learned on the road was how disconnected I had been from what truly brought me joy. Like so many of us, I was caught in the grind of a digital-materialistic world, where likes and validation from others dictated my sense of worth.

When I began exploring the U.S. in my RV, I found joy in the simplest things—hiking, journaling by the fire, watching the sunrise, and reconnecting with hobbies I had long forgotten. Studies published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology confirm that spending time in nature significantly reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances mental clarity.

Nature has a way of reminding us what really matters. It strips away the noise and distractions, leaving space for self-reflection and growth.

Living Proactively: Shedding the Old Skin

Becoming self-aware didn’t just change my mindset—it transformed how I lived my life. I stopped reacting to the world and started living proactively. This meant taking responsibility for my past while actively shaping my future.

This realization empowered me to make better decisions and embrace change. A study by Stanford University found that individuals who practiced mindfulness and self-awareness were 33% more likely to achieve their goals compared to those who didn’t.

Through journaling, reflection, and embracing the challenges of life on the road, I found the tools to create unlimited outcomes and successes. I began to understand that life isn’t about acceptance or rejection; it’s about wisdom and progression.

Reflect and Ask Yourself

Reading this, do you feel like you might have this disease too? Are your thoughts trapped in a cycle of negativity? Are you reacting to life instead of living it proactively?

If so, take a step back. Reflect on your life. Ask yourself:

• What patterns are holding me back?

• What truly brings me joy?

• Am I living in alignment with my values and passions?

Sometimes, the answers aren’t easy to find, and that’s okay. You don’t have to go through this alone. Through Mogressive and my structured courses, I’ve helped people uncover their emotional triggers, stressors, and motivators.

Take the next step today. Download my free ebook or join my 6-week course to start shedding your old skin and stepping into the best version of yourself.

As I continue my journey across the U.S. in my RV, I’m constantly reminded of how much growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones and into the real world. The best version of you is yet to come—it’s out there, waiting for you to embrace it.

Life isn’t about what happens to you; it’s about how you choose to respond.