By Marcianne Stewart

Every three to four months, I’d feel “off.” And when that feeling came, my thoughts would spiral:

“Something is wrong.”
“I don’t like when this happens.”
“Life sucks.”
“I’ll never be able to…”

Then came the shame:

“I’m broken.”
“I’ll never be enough.”
“I’m defective.”

Cue a month of depression—binge-watching a show, binge-reading a book, and isolating myself from family and friends—which, of course, only deepened the shame. Then just as quickly as the “off” feeling appeared, it would vanish. Life would return to “normal,” and I’d feel amazing again—happy, abundant, unstoppable. Until, bam… the cycle repeated.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like this, or if someone you love has, but from what I’ve seen, I’m not alone. Many people resonate with this cycle.

When I attended Genius Bootcamp through Rare Faith, I learned about the Mind Model and realized how powerful it can be to reframe your thoughts—and that there are tools to help you do it. When life felt good, I’d use affirmations and reminders to reprogram my mind. So when the next “off” cycle hit, I didn’t spiral into shame.

Instead, I got curious:
“I wonder why this is happening?”
“What am I learning from this?”
“How could this experience be for my benefit?”

Yes, I still felt unmotivated. Yes, I still binged something. But here’s the shift: I wasn’t beating myself up for it anymore. And that made a huge difference. It was strange—feeling off, but not ashamed. Progress for sure… but I still didn’t love how long those low periods lasted.

Then I took Mindset Mastery, also through Rare Faith. That’s where I learned about the Success Principles—and the one that especially changed everything for me was the Law of Rhythm. It validated my experience. I realized that the low wasn’t failure—it was a natural slowdown. A pause before the next upswing.

So when the next cycle came, I shifted my thoughts again, using the phrases I’d learned:
“All things are for my good.”
“How is this for my good?”

The Law of Polarity reminded me that however bad something may feel, there is something equally good hidden within it. I chose to be grateful for the chance to pause and reflect—to recalibrate when something felt off course from my goals.

Now, when I start to feel “off,” I actually get excited. I see it as a gift—a nudge from God to slow down so I can speed up again. I’ve learned to celebrate rest.

And here’s the amazing part: I’m functioning through my “off” season.

I’m not isolating.
I’m not binge-watching or binge-reading to escape.
I’m not stuck in a cycle of shame.

Instead, I’m practicing the Law of Perpetual Transmutation. Like Leslie Householder says:
“When I have a choice, I choose to believe.”

So now, I choose belief over doubt. I visualize my goals as already done. I prepare for the next “take action” phase while still enjoying a show or a book in a healthy way. I’ve found a rhythm of rest and progress. Both matter. Both are part of the process.

If any part of this resonates with you—if you’ve thought those thoughts, or know someone who has—I hope this gives you hope. You are not broken.
There is nothing wrong with you.
You are a gift from God, and as I’ve heard said before:
“God doesn’t make mistakes.”

If you’re unhappy with your thoughts, you have the power within you to learn, grow, and change. One step, one tool, one choice at a time.

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•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.