Dealing With Unhelpful Thoughts Broadcasted By Our Mind
Why is our thinking self telling us all these rubbish things, but observing self is the one cheering for us?
Modern times we live in bring a lot of uncertainty in different forms, like difficult thoughts, feelings and emotions. It can be overwhelming dealing with those especially with the feel good stigma present in society.
We must find that happiness otherwise we can’t be happy!
But what about all those uncomfortable emotions we encounter daily and struggle with, are those parts of our happiness as well? What about that anxiety that we meet every day?
Our mind as a tricky fella
Our brain has 2 important selves. Observing and thinking self. Observing self is a good self, the one we would want as our bestie. It’s that part of the mind that is present, observing, non-judgemental. It observes your thoughts, feelings, urges, brings awareness to your body. But thinking self is like that one friend that talks too much, constantly negative and sucks out your energy so you need a recovery period. It broadcasts a lot of unhelpful stuff daily, constantly judging you and the others. It exhausts you.
Is there a remedy for those thoughts, can I control them? How can I stop thinking self from broadcasting? You ask yourself.
Why is our mind sabotaging us?
According to Homo Sapiens, the number one motive of our ancestor's primitive minds was constantly being on the lookout for something that can harm you. Back then it was trying not to be killed by a big cat but we are so past Lascaux caves when our forefathers hid from big deer waiting for danger and then drew on cave walls while hiding? I get it mind, you want to protect me from d-a-n-g-e-r.
Unfortunately, danger back then is nowadays another kind of danger our mind is preparing us for. It’s not fear for life anymore, living in modern life brings another kind of difficulties. Our mind is judging and accessing everything we encounter. Constantly comparing us to others. Do they like me? Am I fitting in? All because our ancestors had to survive surrounded with a lot of uncertainty and belong to a clan as some of the essential skills.
Thank you, mind
So, what do we do with all this unpleasant stuff? It’s all about acceptance my friend. Accept your thoughts, feelings, emotions. Don’t try to control them, acknowledge them, let them be. Yes, it’s that simple. Otherwise, make peace with constant anxiety kicking in while fighting them. The more you struggle, the deeper you dive into an eternal loop of anxiety. Been there, done that.
So, what’s it going to be?
’Why would you publish this article? It’s probably not good. It’s your first one, why don’t you procrastinate for a couple of days more, then you will publish it, I’m sure!’’
That’s what is my thinking self telling me now.
Thank you, mind. Appreciate it, but I’m going to publish it anyways.
References:
Harris, R., 2011. The happiness trap: Stop struggling, start living. ReadHowYouWant. com.
Harris, R., 2019. ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications. Vancouver
