July 14, 2014

Lost in Thoughts


Yesterday I went for a run and was completely lost in thoughts. A small dog, tied up in a yard, barked at me. I jumped out of my skin. Then I laughed and reflected. The stories we construct in our minds can consume us. I was running outside, yet I didn't experience my body or nature, only my thoughts. I was living in another world--in my head--where I was disconnected from everything, including myself.

Thinking is good. It helps us process and understand. Yet if our thoughts consume us, the understanding weakens. When do you receive your best insights and ideas? Possible answers: the shower, while gardening, on a walk, brushing my teeth, a quiet moment sitting on the couch. 


Often, we box ourselves in. We overthink a problem or situation. Indeed, our culture reveres intellectual hard work. But we can't solve all problems just by thinking. It's also important to process emotionally, let an idea sit, and gain larger perspective. The spaces that naturally happen in life--showering, walking--provide a break from the thinking and often allow for insight. Imagine if we purposefully created more space.

When I'm lost in thoughts--and I notice--I use a variety of techniques: nature walk, yoga, weeding my garden, breath awareness, meditation. My best strategy, though, is simply lying on the couch. Non-doing. I don't necessarily meditate, but I scan my body. I feel my emotions. I notice my thoughts but I don't follow them. I don't jump from the couch to do the next thing that pops into my mind. I lie on the couch for a while--longer than I think I can. And I settle. I stop believing the stories in my mind. I find a bit of clarity and perhaps a new perspective. Just by lying on the couch, intentionally doing nothing.

6 comments:

  1. Ah, yes. Our minds. How can they be such treasures and other times such road blocks? You must have a much nicer couch than we do. Wry grin. New couch is top of my list for autumn and has been for some time. Thank you for each post, Joy, for your thinking and seeing.

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    1. thank YOU, pam. thanks for being you. you are a gift to me.

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  2. Exactly what I am doing now for exactly the same reasons as The Big Move is coming closer and as I am in an emotional roller coaster because of it and the confrontation with illness and the circle of life in my close family ... Just lying down and trying to find a new perspective can feel so good. Warm hug to you and thank you for this post!

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    1. warm hug back to you, elke! transitions and moves are times of uncertainty. it's completely understandable that you're on an emotional roller coaster. i'm glad you're staying with yourself. please know i'm beside you. :)

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  3. If I find myself dwelling on an issue far too long, then I tell myself (sometimes out loud) that I will think about it on the next day's run. A little Scarlett O'Hara-ish of me, but I always tend to come up with a solution or just decide that said issue is actually a non-issue and I let go of it somewhere along the road. : )

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    1. it's great to hear from you, katie. yes, isn't it interesting how certain issues lose steam after a good night's sleep?

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