I feel like I'm spilling in a million directions lately. Life is traveling at a million miles per hour--but you won't ever find me complaining. I much rather a busy "hectic" life, than a dull boring life- any day of the week.
I sat down to eat dinner with a few friends the other night. As I peered around the table, I made note of one of my friends who stared forward like a dear in headlights. I knew the stare all too well. It was one I've found myself caught in a million times before. The look encompasses your body will make any onlooker believe that your body has been temporarily hijacked by aliens.
After a moment of two of observation, I made it a point to lean over and offer these words:
"You're stuck in the corner of your head---aren't you?…"
After a quick nod yes, I again added "You need to get out of your own head."
This comment struck a cord with conversation to follow. As I sat there with my friend talking about his state of mind I felt myself easily relate-able. Not because I have been at all feeling that way lately, but because I've been there. It's not a good feeling; being stuck in the back of your own mind that is.
Here are some ways that I like to recenter my thoughts.
STAY BUSY, STAY ACTIVE
There's a reason why I'm always busy. There are two types of people, people who are okay with down time and people who need the hustle and bustle to keep their minds from well, checking out. This by no means makes a person crazy. What it means, typically, in my opinion, people who tend to experience this do so because they are selfless, and don't spend as much time really "listening" to themselves. I for one believe this to be true. Science can only explain so much and medicine can only band-aid emotions like this. It's a lot of the reason I tell my clients to really take the time and "master" their minds throughout the process of training.
MAKE A LIST
Can't figure out how to stay busy? Take a half hour out of your busy day to jot down a list of things you love to do. Make your new goal to spend all of your free time doing this. Chances are--if you have the time to be stuck in your own head, you have the time to force yourself to make this list.
GET THE HELL UP
I mean it. That morning you wake up, and feel like you are so absolutely glued to your bed that it feels like it would hurt to get out of bed- GET UP. Whatever pain you are feeling in that very moment will only hurt more if you choose not to make the effort of getting up.
CALL IN THE TROOPS
Support. Everyone needs it. There's a reason why, as humans, we put such a high emphasis on human relationships. For one, they're healthy, and two, they are meant to help get us passed those tough moments where we feel like we can't keep going anymore.
Regardless, always keep family, friends and doctors apprised of how you're feeling. It doesn't make you any less of a person for admitting raw moments of human emotions. You're never alone, even when you feel like you are.
