Like a Kid in a Candy Store

What to do when you can't have it all

Everyone’s feeling it, I know. Life is speeding up as information flows our way faster each day. What is true? What is useful? What is worth my time and effort?

My mind has been so busy lately. Having just finished Retreat where I intentionally rested my mind, it is now in overdrive. Also, we are in Gemini season which is the astrological sign of the mind, imagination, talking and friendship. The symbol for Gemini is The Twins, so you know every thought will show up in multiples! I feel like a kid in a candy store, confronted with all of these amazing choices, how can I possibly choose which idea to run with?

Photo by amirali mirhashemian on Unsplash

Here's what I do when my mind is in overdrive:

√ Take care of my body: In my last post I wrote about being on Retreat. When I gave my mind a rest I became more aware of my body. By returning to my body I become more grounded, settled and aware of what is most important to me. Here are my favorite ways to take care of my body: eat healthy seasonal foods, practice yoga, sit still for meditation, do walking meditation if I feel physically agitated, and take a walk around the pond. Pushing the mind forward is not a good plan; giving the mind a break helps it to work more efficiently.

√ Write it down: I love to-do lists. In the past I received bizarre pleasure in checking things off the list, as if this was a measure of my worth in the world. (Cue the eye roll) I know better now; I have learned that writing it down is a way to free my ideas so that I feel less overwhelmed and a bit more organized. “Wow, look at how similar these two are, let’s put them together.” “Here’s something I can work on now, and here are a few for another time.” Gemini is an air sign, after all, and if you don’t collect those ideas somewhere they’re going to fly away.

√ Talk it out with a trusted friend or colleague: I love it when someone can ask me questions and help me see the positives and pitfalls. Of course, this needs to be a friendly conversation, so make sure you’re talking with someone who loves you and wants to nurture your success. When I don’t have someone to talk with or want to keep the conversation more private, I write about it in a journal. Writing by hand helps to access the subconscious mind and slow down the process.

√ Meditate: Now that I’ve poured everything out of my mind (and made some notes), I look at each section one-by-one. How does it make me feel? (make a note in the margin or add a smiley/frowny face) If I feel excited and happy it’s likely something I can run with. If I feel discouraged or overwhelmed, the timing may not yet be right.

The mind is a powerful and helpful tool, but in this time of ever-flowing information it can sometimes feel out of control. By taking some simple steps to sort and discern, the best ideas can rise to our attention. It’s like walking into the candy store and heading straight for the best confection (dark chocolate, please).

Janet teaches yoga therapy, Reiki and Ayurveda in person in Tulsa and online. Find out more at Tulsa Yoga Meditation Center