02/02/2019
I watched a Martha Beck webinar the other day and she had a great analogy that I've been wanting to share. It's this whole idea of rebooting your brain as if it's a computer. (This is a very simplified version so if you want the longer one, let me know and I would be happy to give you a more detailed version)!
When computers are running too many apps or have old, outdated information on them, it really slows them down. Too much information = overload = not functioning as well as it could be.
Our brains are very similar. We get information overload and decision fatigue which leads to processing problems - whether it's sluggishness, inability to make decisions, fear, emotional struggles, inattentiveness, crankiness, or a myraid of other things...
So, our brains may need a reboot occasionally and here's one way to do it:
1. Notice what apps (old stories, old beliefs) that you may be running that are causing exhaustion. For example: I need to do everything in this household or else it's not going to get done. This thought in itself will not only cause brain overload, but emotional and physical exhaustion as well.
2. Press pause. Breathe, see what's going on outside of self, take in your senses, relax the muscles in your body and face, get outside, go to your animals. When you're relaxed, an emotion that you may have been holding back while tense may come up. Don't judge it, just follow it and see what it's all about. See if it feel true and right. If it feels exhausting and wrong, it's not the right app to be running.
3. What new app (new thought, new belief system) will make you feel better and spark joy? For example: I don't have to do everything in the household by myself. My kids are old enough to help. Not everything needs to be perfect. My husband can make dinner AND clean up and I don't have to feel guilty etc...
4. Expect the old app to repeat itself because even with computers it sometimes takes several different attempts to get the new app functioning well. You wouldn't throw your computer against the wall just because it's not functioning well, just like you don't need to beat yourself up either.
5. Keep running the new app, turning off the old app until it becomes habitual.
6. Remember, the new app feels like freedom and energy (lightness) and the old app feels like overload and exhaustion (heaviness).
I hope this prompts you think and take action on what apps you want to delete. Sometimes it's hard to see them for yourself, though. If you want some greater personal insight on this, I'm here to help!
