When Your Mind Thinks It’s Helping (But It’s Not)

Your mind is like a supercomputer—it’s always working, trying to figure things out and keep you safe. But sometimes, it gets things wrong. Instead of helping, it can stress you out, make you doubt yourself, and keep you from enjoying life. In this post, we’ll look at how your mind’s so-called "helpfulness" can actually make things harder and what you can do to take back control.

When Your Mind Worries Too Much:

Your brain is built to keep you safe. Back in the day, humans needed to spot danger—like wild animals or bad weather—to survive. Now, instead of lions, our minds fixate on things like awkward conversations or embarrassing moments. Your brain thinks it’s protecting you by reminding you of everything that could go wrong, but instead, it creates a loop of stress and self-doubt.

Trying to Control Everything (And Failing):

Another way your mind tries to "help" is by making you feel like you need to control everything. It overthinks problems, runs through every possible outcome, and makes you feel like you have to plan for every little thing. But here’s the catch: trying to control everything actually makes you feel more out of control. Instead of helping, your mind can make you feel stuck, too scared to take chances or try something new.

The Comparison Game:

Your mind also loves to compare you to others. It’s always looking for ways to measure your success, especially in a world full of Instagram highlights and TikTok fame. It thinks, "If I point out what you’re missing, you’ll work harder!" But instead of motivating you, it can make you feel like you’re never good enough. Constant comparison drains your confidence and steals your joy from what you’ve already achieved.

How to Train Your Mind to Chill:

The good news? You can change the relationship you have with your mind, reduce it’s influence over your life.

·         Practice mindfulness: This just means noticing your thoughts without letting them take over. When your mind starts stressing over something, take a deep breath and refocus on the present moment.

·         Be kind to yourself: Instead of beating yourself up over mistakes, treat yourself like you would a good friend. Everyone messes up, and that’s totally okay.

·         Remind yourself what’s real: Not everything your brain tells you is true or helpful. Just because you feel like a failure doesn’t mean you are one. Name the thoughts your having, then step back and ask if it’s helpful. If it’s not, what can you DO right now instead that would be?

Conclusion:

Your mind means well, but sometimes it just doesn’t know when to stop. By noticing when it’s working against you and making small changes, you can step back from overthinking, self-doubt, and unnecessary stress. Remember, you are not your thoughts, and you have the power to make conscious choices towards the life you want to live.