Mindset
You And Your Mind: Probably The Most Draining Relationship You’ll Ever Be In
But here are 5 steps to get your brain on your side, once and for all.
Before you read this article, start by asking yourself a few questions:
- Do you ever lie in bed awake replaying scenarios in your head or worrying about the future?
- Do you often succumb to stress?
- Do you have trouble letting go? This can be letting go of physical objects, relationships, or even emotions.
- Do you tend to procrastinate?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you probably do not have a good relationship with your mind.
- If you have a good relationship with your mind, you’ll be at peace. You can tune out the incessant noise of your thoughts on command. You know there is a time to use the brain and to release yourself from it.
- However, if you don’t, the opposite will be true. You’ll most likely suffer from anxiety thinking about the future and regret from dwelling on the past. Your mind is always racing, and you have no escape from it. You are your mind’s slave.
If you are the master of your thoughts, then great! This article may still be useful to you, but its sole purpose is to teach you how to master your mind. It’s intended for the many of us who have lost ourselves in our heads.
In this article, I’ll outline 5 steps to reclaim your brain. The first 3 will focus on quieting your mind and tuning out the thoughts that bombard you, while steps 4 & 5 will help you make a lasting effort to get your mind to work for you and not against you.
Step 1: Realize you are not your mind.
This may sound weird at first, but think about it.
You consist of a tangible body, a mind, and an intangible soul. This means that your thoughts are only a fragment of being. The mind is almost an intersection of body and soul, where the physical meets the metaphysical.
This may be hard to accept because of the fear of losing yourself if you detach from your thoughts. But the point is not to ignore the presence of your mind, only to realize that you are more than your thoughts. That you exist beyond the brain.
Once you grasp this, true freedom is yours. You can observe your thoughts without judgment and just watch, just be. This is ultimately the first step towards cultivating peace and using your mind for good.
Step 2: Tune into the now.
Take a minute to observe your surroundings. Don’t judge them, simply watch.
What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you see, & what physical sensations do you feel? If applicable, what do you taste?
This is the now. It is a place without worry of the past or future.
Doing this exercise releases you from the grip of your mind. It stops the endless spiral of thought and allows you to enjoy the moment.
At first, you may only be able to do this for a few seconds. Maybe not even that. But with time, you’ll be able to extend this.
There may be a time when you become aware of your thoughts. You may notice that they are centered around the past or future. The moment you do this, you have entered the now. You are in the now when you become conscious of not being in the now.
Step 3: Make it a routine.
Do this regularly to gain lasting results, as the process is gradual. Even just a couple times a week is a good start.
The exercise I mentioned previously is a good place to start, but you may eventually become bored with this. To prevent this, here are 3 other ideas:
1. Meditation
Meditation is another practical way to tune into the now. There are many guided meditations on YouTube if you have trouble quieting your mind.
For more advanced practitioners, it may be easier to simply sit in silence and focus on your breath.
You can meditate for as long as you’d like, whether that’s an hour or only 5 minutes. An hour-long session may seem daunting, so try starting with a shorter time.
Either way, meditation is a great way to recollect your thoughts.
2. Gratitude
While you practice gratitude, you become conscious of all the good in your life. You stop focusing on what you don’t have or wish you had and take a moment to say thanks for what you do have.
That is why it is a great way to get your brain on your side. It forces you to focus on the positivity in your life. If you’re pessimistic by nature, this could help you rewire your brain for the better.
3. Breathwork
Breathing is a voluntary function, so taking the time to express control over it helps block out unnecessary thoughts bombarding you.
There are many different techniques, from belly breathing & alternate nostril breathing to box breathing. Different techniques can help you achieve various goals, whether that be reducing anxiety or warding off insomnia.
Step 4: Reframe your mindset.
This essentially reprograms your brain to work for you and not against you.
The first step is to change the information you feed your brain. And the primary source of input is your thoughts and self-talk.
If you think negatively, don’t be surprised if you are pessimistic. After all, the input (your thoughts) directly affects the output (your mindset). The only way to change this is to create a positive self-image and outlook.
The best way to do this is through positive self-talk or positive affirmations.
Before long, you’ll notice a change in your thinking patterns. Your limiting beliefs will start to fade, and you can live a fuller life.
With consistent effort and practice, you can shift your mind towards a more positive and empowering one and loosen the shackles of negativity. This is key if you want to permanently reset your mindset.
Step 5: Live with intention.
What does your life look like when you have no goals? You may notice that you slip into unhealthy habits or that your mind wanders aimlessly. You may even experience stress.
Having goals makes your brain focus on a particular task, which would be the next step toward success. It prevents you from thinking about failure as you consistently push for your goal.
This is why living with intention is an important final step to getting your brain to cooperate. When you have no purpose or goals for life, your mind is more susceptible to trapping you in the past, forcing negative thought patterns, or stressing over the future.
Conclusion
These are five steps to nurture a good relationship with your mind.
Doing these things with consistent effort and practice helps you overcome anxiety, negative self-talk, and procrastination while living a more peaceful and productive life.
Remember, your mind is your greatest asset, and when used correctly, it can bring great benefits to your life.
What does your current relationship with your mind look like? What are steps you can take to improve it? Drop it in the comments, I’d love to know!
