How To Manage Your Thoughts And Take Back Control Of Your Life

Do you often feel exhausted by the speed of your own thoughts? Because I do.

Did you know that we have between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts a day? According to an article published by the National Science Foundation, 80% of these thoughts are negative and—wait for it—around 95% of our daily thoughts are repeated from the day before!

Taking back control of your mind is key to a happy life.

It’s also a continuous process, especially if you’re someone who suffers with anxiety (like me). I’m constantly trying different methods to control my thoughts, almost as if I’m trying to trick my own mind. However, the one consistent remains: My mind is a part of me as much as my heart is, but it does not rule me. I am in charge.

You will continue to be in charge as long as you manage your mind every day.

An unmanaged mind is like an unwatched child—you have no idea the sort of mischief they can get themselves into when left unsupervised.

But where do you start?

Try stepping outside your mind for a while. Don’t control it, just simply observe it. Observe your thoughts as if impartial to the rest of your being. You will be amazed at how much easier your mind is to manage once you start watching. Through observation, you are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses, the productive thoughts, and the destructive thoughts.

Find a task which allows you to free your mind to enjoy the moment. Why not try picking wild flowers as you walk? See how many colors you collect, how many different shapes and sizes. Focus on the simplicity of something so full on intricacies that it tricks your mind into a sense of peace. Once your mind is in that peaceful place, observe it. What will your next thought be? Will it be constructive or negative? What persuasion is it trying to have on your mood?

Understanding how your mind works is the first step to managing it. Managing your mind is the first step in managing your life.