Rewiring Your Brain: Neurons, Neural Pathways, and Neuroplasticity, Part 2
Ashley MP • October 21, 2025
As we recall from last month’s blog, the neural framework for our instinctual thoughts, feelings, and actions forms during our early childhood, based on interactions with our primary caretakers. If our physical or emotional needs were neglected, our child self experienced pain and fear. In an effort to protect ourselves, we learned to respond to threats by becoming combative (fighting), running away (fleeing), trying to appease (fawning), or withdrawing into ourselves (freezing).
Because our brains find safety in familiarity, our adult selves continue to interpret our experiences in this established framework. Seeing the world as hostile, we become locked in survival mode, a state that prevents us from feeling inner peace, happiness, or connection to others.
The encouraging news is that our brains are wonderfully adaptable: we can forge new connections in our brains, a concept termed neuroplasticity. Instead of feeling fearful and threatened, we can create safety and security through our daily choices. These choices create new neural pathways in our brains.
The first step is becoming aware of our inner world. We do this by creating space to non-judgmentally observe our instinctual habits. Once we become aware of our subconscious, we can question the beliefs that drive us. The point is not to invalidate our hurt inner child, but to comfort and assure them that they are seen, loved, and safe. In a sense, we become the friend or parent that our child self needed.
I am safe and loved, regardless of how I feel.
I am worthy of love and connection.
I am the creator of my reality.
I am connected to my body and comfortable residing in it.
I am aware of my inner world and able to express my feelings in a healthy way.
I am in touch with my needs and able to meet them.
I am comfortable asking for support from others.
The power of affirmations is that they fire new neural connections in our brains. With intentionality, repetition, and time, these connections can become deeply etched into our brains, creating a new set of instincts, a new subconscious. We can imagine neural pathways like a trail through a forest. The more we walk the new path, the smoother and wider it becomes. The old paths become rough and overgrown, making it easier and easier to choose the new path.
Source: How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera.
With sincerity and grace,
Ashley Edewaard
Instructor and Marketing Liaison
Because our brains find safety in familiarity, our adult selves continue to interpret our experiences in this established framework. Seeing the world as hostile, we become locked in survival mode, a state that prevents us from feeling inner peace, happiness, or connection to others.
The encouraging news is that our brains are wonderfully adaptable: we can forge new connections in our brains, a concept termed neuroplasticity. Instead of feeling fearful and threatened, we can create safety and security through our daily choices. These choices create new neural pathways in our brains.
The first step is becoming aware of our inner world. We do this by creating space to non-judgmentally observe our instinctual habits. Once we become aware of our subconscious, we can question the beliefs that drive us. The point is not to invalidate our hurt inner child, but to comfort and assure them that they are seen, loved, and safe. In a sense, we become the friend or parent that our child self needed.
The comforting words and phrases that we tell ourselves are called affirmations, or mantras. Simply choose the affirmations that resonate most deeply. Here are a few examples:
I am safe and loved, regardless of how I feel.
I am worthy of love and connection.
I am the creator of my reality.
I am connected to my body and comfortable residing in it.
I am aware of my inner world and able to express my feelings in a healthy way.
I am in touch with my needs and able to meet them.
I am comfortable asking for support from others.
The power of affirmations is that they fire new neural connections in our brains. With intentionality, repetition, and time, these connections can become deeply etched into our brains, creating a new set of instincts, a new subconscious. We can imagine neural pathways like a trail through a forest. The more we walk the new path, the smoother and wider it becomes. The old paths become rough and overgrown, making it easier and easier to choose the new path.
Source: How to Be the Love You Seek by Dr. Nicole LePera.
With sincerity and grace,
Ashley Edewaard
Instructor and Marketing Liaison