Tired, Anxious, and Drowning in Thoughts — Until I Tried This
Small mindset shifts that made a big difference.
I have often heard people resort to the clichéd expression, “There is no peace of mind.” I, too, have experienced this frenzied state and found myself yearning for respite.
There were a plethora of options available — rejuvenation camps, wellness retreats, yoga, meditation, and nature therapy. Initially, I was drawn to these alluring concepts and decided to give them a try.
However, due to personal commitments, I hardly found the time to engage in any of these mind-healing activities.
I was also skeptical. Would any of these options really annihilate my troubled thoughts completely? Unlike physical ailments, mental unrest cannot be cured by a course of medication, nor can it be monitored with scans or blood tests.
Since it’s an inner conflict, the approach, too, has to be subjective. Though psychologists opine that opening up to well-wishers brings relief, I hesitated. I felt their advice would never truly align with my thought process.
So, I decided to declutter my mind by myself.
I questioned myself:
Could you please elaborate on what specifically is troubling you?
Is it the issue itself or the way you zoom in on it?
That moment of self-reflection helped me uncover the real culprit: overthinking. I wasn’t just dealing with the issue; I was exhausting myself by imagining every possible consequence.
From then on, I adopted a different mindset. I consciously distanced myself from three patterns that were sabotaging my peace:
1. Excessive Self-Empathy
When you’re in distress, what you really need is a push forward , not a pat on the back. Constantly empathizing with yourself can be counterproductive and it will hinder your progress.
2. Self-Pity
The “Why me?” question is a trap. It keeps you stuck in your predicament. The more I brooded over my situation, the more it sapped my motivation to act.
3. The Trap of Comparison
Social media can be especially hurtful during low phases. When I scrolled through photos of others’ seemingly perfect lives, it amplified my sadness. I started believing I was the only one facing hardship.
But once I stopped comparing my life to others, I felt a shift. That one change gave me the confidence to handle any crisis with clarity.
When you’re agitated, your decision-making is clouded. Your thoughts are noisy. But here’s what I’ve realized:
Peace, or the clarity we seek, doesn’t get lost; it hides inside our chaotic mind.
We just need to pause, breathe, and feel it. Only a calm mind can perceive what has always been concealed.
Sometimes, finding peace requires patience. We put in effort, experience setbacks, and begin anew from the beginning. Those tiny attempts are not signs of weakness; they are symbols of resilience, strength, and hope.
It is through those efforts that we create a happier life for ourselves. I realized that what I needed wasn’t a retreat but a reset of my mind.
When was the last time you paused and listened to your mind?
