Getting Started #1: Unscrambling the Scrambled Mind
Your first step towards self improvement, productivity and gaining skillsets
Starting something new can feel like trying to untangle a ball of yarn after a mischievous kitten has had its way with it. Believe me…I’ve been there! When I say something new, it could mean anything — a new relationship status, moving to a new place, starting a family, moving careers, shifting from one phase of life to another, getting back to a career after a break, recovering from a medical condition, WAR…anything! The mind becomes a jumble of thoughts, worries, and uncertainties, making it difficult to even know where to begin. But fear not, for it is not an impossible feat. With patience, determination, and a few helpful strategies, you can pave the way to clarity and action.
First and foremost, acknowledge the chaos. Trying to ignore or suppress the tangled mess in your mind will only make it worse. Instead, take a moment to sit with your thoughts, no matter how jumbled they may be. Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up — whether it’s anxiety, overwhelm, or frustration. Recognize that it’s okay to feel this way and that it’s just a temporary state. I have done it all. Sometimes, just a moment wasn’t enough for me. It took me days, even months, to get me to finally acknowledge my thoughts and emotions. There are days I would sleep it off to avoid dealing with the panic attacks cause by the emotional roller coaster. Here is how I did ( and still do) it. Write it down. Period. If writing you diary is your go to place, write it there. If not, give journaling a try. If nothing works, pull out a blank book and jot it down. Ask yourself, what is it that is troubling you. Write down everything without pondering over it. No ifs and buts. Just plain emotions.
Once you’ve acknowledged the chaos, it’s time to start untangling. One way to do this is to break down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. When faced with a mountain of things to do, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But by breaking it down into bite-sized chunks, you can make the process feel more achievable. That’s the key — ACHIEVABLE. Start with the simplest task and work your way up from there for each of you goals that need a solution.
Another strategy which I use most of the time is to segregate my chaos into buckets. Depending on the root causes of my messy mind, I create ‘buckets’ for each of the points I’ve noted down, such as : Work, Family, Nutrition and so on.
Next is to create a plan of action. Sit down and map out the steps you need to take to reach your mini goal (or chunks as discussed above). Having a clear roadmap can provide a sense of direction and alleviate some of the confusion in your mind. Ask yourself Why, What, How at each step to identify the cause of the confusion. Write down each step, along with a timeline for when you hope to accomplish it. This will help keep you focused. The important insight here is, the simplest might not be the most effective one to tackle. Everyone has different efficiency levels. Tackle the task that is easy for YOU to strike off from the list and one that has a better impact towards reaching your goal.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, the best way to unscramble a tangled mind is to seek outside assistance. Reach out to friends, family, or mentors for guidance and support. They may offer valuable insights or perspectives from their experience that you hadn’t considered or wouldn’t have otherwise known. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone.
Finally, be kind to yourself throughout the process. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sorting a messed up self takes time and effort. Celebrate small achievements and task completions along the way, and don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go exactly as planned. Go for a movie or a breakfast with your close tribe. Have a small inexpensive game evening over tea with your friends to relax and laugh it out. Remember that progress, no matter how small it is, is still progress.
In conclusion, unscrambling the scrambled mind is a daunting task, but it’s not impossible. By acknowledging the chaos, breaking down goals, creating a plan, seeking help, and practicing self-compassion, you can pave the way to clarity and action. So take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, and get started. You’ve got this!
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