Lost in my mind. Ever since I was a little child, I have spent a lot of time alone in my thoughts. A dear friend of mine has said, and I quote, “it’s a scary place, what goes on in your mind.” I am amused. I disagree, vehemently. As a shy child, I remember vividly spending hours with my beloved cat Riches. Now my dear Riches was my original “wonder pet” who, even though a rough and tough male orange tabby, allowed me to dress him up in my doll clothes and push him in a doll buggy. He must’ve loved me. We would spend hours sitting in my window seat together, contemplating the great mysteries of the world. As an adult, though I am much less shy and prefer to reframe myself as an introvert who has learned the importance of public speaking and engaging in larger social situations as both a necessity in life and at times enjoyable, I still spend an inordinate amount of time in my own thoughts. I am happy to report that I do. Spending time in my thoughts allows me to bring a clarity inaccessible to me during the chaos that is often my day. My thought, no pun intended, is this…..why don’t others? How do others process life around them? How do others reframe negativity into something positive? In clinical practice, I often assist clients in re-training their brains to stop negative thought processes and replace instead with positive thoughts and messages. Depending on presenting issues/severity of problems and age of client, this can be a challenge, but possible for EVERYONE. “Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything.” credited to Ralph Waldo Emerson & Buddha. (both….and several others, really…how do we not know whose quote this is?) If we don’t spend time thinking about our life, both the road behind us and the path in front of us, how do we truly understand the meaning of where we’ve been and the potential of where we are yet to go? While our mind and thoughts are always with us, why do we spend so much time busying selves, almost to avoid having time alone with thoughts. Found this article, and was shocked by contents.
In 11 experiments involving more than 700 people, the majority of participants reported that they found it unpleasant to be alone in a room with their thoughts for just 6 to 15 minutes. WHAT??? 6 to 15 minutes is too much?
My homework assignment for all who read this blog (just like my clients who often get homework) is to spend a few more moments in your thoughts. No agenda. No plan. No necessary outcome. Just allow your thoughts to come. Ways to implement into your life daily:
Start the day off with 5 minutes of silence. Sit in darkness, take deep/cleansing breaths & allow the mind to think about the possibilities for the day ahead
Practice putting devices away when not “needed” and allow mind to be quiet in thought
Take walks in nature, with or without music, and really look at the beauty around you.
Read inspirational/positive writings/quotes/muse and allow your mind to soak up positivity and expel negativity
Go out for a run, participate in a yoga class, take a walk and spend time just allowing your thoughts to wander (sorry yoga teachers, sometimes my mind does wander in class) for a few uninterrupted moments
Dream. Wander. Wonder. Create. Envision.
And be still with thoughts.
Enjoy…………and have fun getting lost in your mind. Peace……