It’s Like Spring Cleaning – But For Your Brain
Here in California, we’re beginning to have faith that spring is on the way…the temps are beginning to inch upwards and we’re seeing fewer and fewer rainy days (contrary to popular belief it does rain in California).
It’s the one time of year I actually feel inspired to clean my apartment.
I get to open windows, let fresh air in, clean out cobwebs, put away heavy things, and shine light into dark corners.
So that got me thinking – spring cleaning our homes is “normal”, like a tradition.
But what if we applied that same tradition to our brains?
Might sound weird I know, but stay with me.
Throughout the Fall and Winter, we’ve endured cold, rain, sometimes snow, and fewer hours of sunlight. We’ve closed our homes and covered ourselves in layers of blankets and warm clothing.
We’re mammals so hibernating is in our DNA, we’re conserving energy. But it can also cause things like seasonal depression and eating habits that result in extra weight. Just like our homes need an airing–out and a refresh to wake everything up, so do our brains.
So what might that look like?
For myself, it looks like getting the sun on my face as soon, and as often, as possible. Going outside for a walk, journaling with the windows and doors open.
It looks like shining a light on the negative thoughts that tend to harbor in the corners of my mind, the ones that have built up during the colder, darker days.
In order to shine a light on those negative thoughts, we first need to find and acknowledge them.
For me, that’s journaling.
I don’t do anything fancy. There’s no expensive, color-coded, store–bought journal. I just grab a plain notebook and a pen, and get all my thoughts out of my brain and onto paper.
The good, the bad, and the ugly.
I write it all down, with NO judgment. We’re all human, we all have ugly thoughts. But thoughts are optional, just because we have one doesn’t mean we need to agree with it, and we definitely don’t need to keep it. We can just write it down, and let it go.
Many of us have negative thought loops that play on automatic repeat in our heads unchecked:
- I’m not as smart as other people
- I’m too much
- I’m not enough
- I’m too different
We’re been thinking these thoughts for so long we’ve accepted them as facts.
But that’s a lie.
They’re just thoughts. And thoughts are optional.
We can change them, we just have to decide to put in the work.
By work, I mean take a few minutes to LOOK at those thoughts and figure out which ones are hurting you. Write them down, and bring them into the light of day so they can no longer hide in your subconscious.
Note that they are just thoughts, and then choose whether or not you want to keep them.
But that doesn’t mean we can just change a negative thought to another, completely opposite thought. We can’t go from “I’m not enough” to “I’m amazing” because of a little thing called cognitive dissonance. Our brains won’t believe it so it will never stick.
Pick a thought that’s just slightly better than the previous thought.
“I’m not enough” could be “I am capable at some things” (then list at least five)
“I’m too fat” could be “My hair looks good today”, “I like my eyes”, or “I have a strong, capable body”.
Then practice that new, intentional thought. Write it down every day to remind yourself that this is the thought you’re deciding to think from now on. Give it just as much air time as you were giving your previous, unwanted thought.
Let go of the negative thoughts that have been hidden under layers of heaviness. Clean out your mental cobwebs, put away heavy things, shine light into the dark corners, and let the fresh thoughts in.
This spring, while you’re opening up and refreshing your space, remember to let some light and air into your brain as well.
Discover What’s Possible
P.S. Speaking of spring, I’m opening up my coaching to new clients starting in April of 2024. If it’s something you’re interested in or want to know more about, just email me or reach out to me on all the Socials, I’d be happy to chat with you!