For those who have a busy mind, do you ever feel like you could use a break from thinking?

Like, if you could just shut down the constant chatter going on up there, maybe you could relax and stop feeling like you’re on a hamster wheel?

Sometimes it can feel like there’s a committee in our heads, voicing all sorts of opinions. There’s the inner critic, Inner Child, the cheerleader and on and on.

You’re not alone. This seems to be the norm for a lot of people.

Research shows the average person is thinking over 80, 000-100,00 thoughts a day. That’s a lot!

And most of this thinking is unconscious, meaning we’re running on autopilot through the day, largely unaware of the steady stream of feedback that’s impacting our choices, behaviours, and belief systems.

Here’s the thing; thoughts aren’t the problem.

It’s overthinking that creates stress and disconnection from the moment, inner peace, and fulfillment.

When we are constantly thinking (or even trying not to think) it’s like we have jumped in a car and gone for a ride. BUT we aren’t in the driver’s seat – our thoughts are. We have given our power over and the thoughts are taking us for a ride.

We are not present.

This is where observing our thoughts come in.

When we pause and notice the thoughts, we become the observer. We have put the brakes on and gotten out of the car.

We are present.

I remember when someone first told me that I could observe my thoughts and I wondered, what does that even mean?

I had been so busy pushing my thoughts away and judging them, it was never-ending. Until I started to explore observing my thoughts through meditation and a mindfulness practice.

What I learned was a game changer.

You have likely heard me say before, “what you resist, persists”.

When we try and push our thoughts away, this is the very thing that juices the thought up or keeps it in play. It can feel like our identity is constructed by these thoughts, by what the committee is telling us.

Here’s the catch though, if we can observe our thoughts, then we are not our thoughts.

We can’t observe our thoughts and be our thoughts at the same time.

Re-read that and take a minute to let it sink in.

Consciousness is aware of the thought. This creates space to connect to our true essence.

This is where freedom lies.

Every time we pause and observe, we are choosing to be present. We are training the mind to be more present, and as a result, strengthening it.

Are you up for practicing this together this week?

Give this a try:

Set the intention to notice your thoughts.
Whenever you become aware you aren’t present, you are present.
You are aware that you are caught up in a thought. There is a gap or space.
You are noticing the thought or observing the thought rather than thinking the thought.

This is where choice lies.

In this moment of awareness, say to yourself, “That’s interesting the mind is thinking that”.

There is no judgment or pushing the thought away, simply noticing.

Take a mindful breath or two.

Bring your focus back to whatever task you are doing.

And this is how change happens - one simple choice at a time.

Be well,

Diane