Monday reset. 3rd March 2025
This week: I can't fit any more into my day, let alone mindfulness.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together” Vincent Van Gogh
Good morning everyone.
We all experience thoughts that cause us anxiety, from time to time, it’s part of being human. I think, part of the art of being human, is finding tools to manage the anxiety that these thoughts can produce. We may need different tools at different times. Each Monday, we will be tooling up!
I get it. You are busy, I am busy, we are all too busy. This is a ‘thing’ in itself.
So what about if you did a time swap? Not add a new thing in, just swap?
For example. I have had so many people say their best thinking time is in the car. When I have looked at this with my clients, often, what they are really doing, is worrying.
We tend to worry at times when we are doing ‘automatic’ things. Have you driven to work, as an example, and not remembered the journey there? Had a shower and not noticed it at all, just found ourselves at the end of the routine? Walked the dog and not noticed the walk. This is our ‘automatic pilot’.
It is not a bad thing at all. It is how we operate as humans. However, if we are worrying and stressing about things that might happen in the future (often starts off ‘what if’) this is not thinking time at all. It is worry time.
How about, if, instead of worry time you had mindfulness time instead? Why is this important? Our bodies and minds think we are in a threat situation when we worry. We tense up, feel stressed, our heart rate elevates, adrenaline and cortisol flow.
Journal prompt: Then you are swapping something that does not serve you for something that does. Not adding, does the resistance feel less? What does it feel like to make a choice to do something pleasant?
What could you do instead?
In the car - put on a song you love and sing loud out loud
Walking the dog - watch them, share their joy, what are they looking at, what are they wagging their tail about, what are they sniffing, what is the weather like, how does it make things smell, look like….the list goes on
Having a cup of coffee at home - look out the window, what is going on out there, the garden, to the front of the house, put on some music and really listen to it, colour, do a bit of a hobby….the list goes on
Our mind wanders, it is part of our tricky human brains. That is ok. If you go back to worry, notice, and go back to the pleasant thing.
Why wouldn’t you?
Have a peaceful rest of your day
With all kind wishes
Jane
Accredited Cognitive Psychotherapist
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
➡️If you would like to work with me on a 1:1 basis you can contact me at: mail@janewatkinscbt.co.uk
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