Decentring. Mindfulness. Distancing. Reframing.
Whatever you want to call it, sometimes the best thing we can do with our busy heads and bodies is just watch. Just be. And maybe that sounds weird, but there is a super simple, accessible, and lovely way to imagine it.
A River, Leiden, The Netherlands
Imagine all those busy thoughts and feelings as a river surrounded by woods, trees, and a bit of a clearing. As you sit, with your feet grounded on the floor and your eyes closed, put yourself in that clearing overlooking the stream.
As you sit, watching these experiences drift by, the temptation is to reach in and grab hold of thoughts, or maybe to block feelings from flowing. That's normal, and arguably it is how many of us are raised, but just for a few moments, you don't have to. As you feel like diving in with your thoughts or emotions, you can notice the urge, put that in the river too, and let it go.
This noticing of your own internal world has many names, the most popular of which is now mindfulness. There are millions of ideas, articles, and recordings out there on mindfulness, but if it is something you have never gotten on with, I hope that this river imagery and analogy can give you a chance to sit still today for a moment and notice what it feels like to be you.
Imagine all those busy thoughts and feelings as a river surrounded by woods, trees, and a bit of a clearing.
Getting swept up is totally okay, and often we find ourselves consumed by excitement and joy just as much as stress and worries. We don't have to stop any of our experiences, but we can choose what experiences to indulge in by first stepping back, sitting down, and noticing that they are happening in the moment.
Lots of love, Jan Talks Psych xx
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