Mindfulness: Nothing Like a Blank Page of Paper
I almost wanted to publish this blog post blank (Heh). I don’t think that would have helped clear up anything in my head.
Noise, noise, noise!!
Not the kind that the Grinch hears, but the kind that fills up your brain even though you’re not doing anything.
The kind of noise that having many tabs or a phone near your work space can do to you. It was a lot easier back in middle school and high school, where decisions — where you don’t make any big decisions. I was barely allowed to do anything, so that didn’t matter. Now, there’s just too much I want to do- no, can do.
How many times have you opened a new window or unlocked your phone with a clear task to do in mind, but quickly forgot it because you saw something distracting?
There is chaos in options overload.
Your browser is cluttered, and so is your mind.
Your mind thinks so far ahead of your performance capabilities. Sometimes, you wish you’re able to catch your thoughts before it flies away.
Before you know it, your mind will take off into space, thinking about everything you want to do in a day, quickly short-circuits, smoke coming out of your ears, and reduced to a ball of panic.
Often times, your phone and computer are your enemies. They coax you into doing things you didn’t want to do. The crazy thing is, you don’t feel their power most of the time. One notification, and productivity goes down the drain- there goes the last 15 minutes.
It sucks that social media is considered a necessity in networking and marketing. These are two things needed to be a successful Business/E-Commerce site/Blogger/any professional. It’s easy to blame the internet for helping and hurting, right?
Well, it really isn’t its fault. It’s yours. If you know how to moderate yourself, this wouldn’t be a problem.
Self Discipline and Mindfulness
The key is to declutter the mind is to practice self-discipline. And mindfulness. The most successful people in the world practice meditation and mindfulness.
There’s no one else willing to discipline you but yourself. I love his videos because he inspires me to do my best.
Nothing can be forced. Things will happen when they happen. They will especially happen when you work hard to make it happen. As mentioned in The Alchemist, when you really want something, the universe will conspire to help you. I guess that could also mean you are your universe??
I am at a point in life, where I’m not sure of anything anymore. I just know what makes me happy and what doesn’t right now, and I’m willing to follow that where it takes me.
When there’s just so much to write, it just makes more sense to flip the page and start over. Close all the tabs.
Start over with a blank page of paper = Close the tabs
When there is too much noise in my head, I crumple my piece of paper and start over. The close all my tabs and rework through what is really important.
I write a note to myself to read up some posts on decluttering my mind- does that work?
Despite what anybody says, I thoroughly enjoy writing and as usual, I spend a lot of time writing on my journal and on my website.
Things that help when stressed out
Feeling cluttered?
Here are some of my favorite ways to destress
- Reading – could be a book, manga, Quora
- Talk to loved ones- they know me best and know how to unwind me.
- Going for a walk/hike OUTSIDE
- Being in nature
- Yoga/breathing exercises
- Watching some motivational speaker
- Listening to music – classical, timeless oldies, instrumental
- Eating food- don’t go overboard!
- Meeting up with friends
- Look at some events coming up in the area
- Taking a hot shower
- Playing a game
- Crafting
- Playing an instrument
- Last, but not least, laying down and doing nothing.
What you should do is dependent on who you are. Sometimes, it’s easy forget that certain things relax you until you do it. 🙂
12 Comments
josypheen
Oh no Winta! I hope you feel better and less stressed soon. Did you have a chance to get outside and relax?
Winta
Haha, I actually did go outside yesterday, thank you Josy! Will we be going on walks again soon?
Pradnya
Laying down doing nothing is my favourite part!
Winta
Thanks!! I should make more time to do that.
Carol J Forrester
The best way to deal with overload is often to step back, take a deep breath, and start from the beginning. Your posts hits this right on the head.
L. Stevens
Great tips! I send myself an email every time I think of something I need to do at work. That way I done need to worry about remembering, and all the emails are waiting for me when I get to the office.
turning20web
Yes!! We shall practice mindfulness… Then social media won’t be the problem for blogger..
Great post!!
The Single Zone
Yes our brain sure works overtime which can produce overwhelming feelings, what I like to do is just drop everything and have a lazy day. Oh I did write a post in such you should check it out its called “,lazy days”. It helps a lot in putting things back into focus.
detoursfromthedesk
Reading a book works best for me! Moving to a different time and place thru a book is the best way to move out of your head!
The Pensieve
Great piece of advice! I’m in a similar phase of life right now where there’s too much of noise. It’s thanks to people like you that we know that we are not alone. ✌️
The Pensieve
Great piece of advice. I’m in a similar phase in my life right now, where there’s just too much of noise. It’s thanks to people like you that we know that we are not alone in this world. ✌️
KavaraStories
It is so easy to feel this way in today’s world; I know exactly what you are talking about. We are faced with constant distractions and enticing advertisements that coerce us into feeling we “need” more in order to fit in. What I’ve found helpful is to turn off my phone at night (and ideally, to stop looking at my phone one hour before bed); I wake up refreshed and am less likely to unnecessarily gravitate towards my phone throughout the day. The blue light from electronic screens actually disrupts sleep patterns. Moreover, less screen time means less exposure to ads which dramatically changes your understanding of what you truly “need” to be happy.