Get Out of Your Head

Coffee, cookies, and quiet time. (Okay, it’s not quiet… my kids are watching cartoons)

Memes and jokes aside, many of us are facing uncertainties that evoke fear and anxiety. I am not exempt. This year I had been reading lots of books on simplifying, being intentional, and creating healthy rhythms. A few weeks ago, I started this book with a friend: Get Out of Your Head; Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts. I have an internal monologue running in my head pretty much non-stop so this book seemed like a good fit. I paired it with a bible study for Lent: Made for This; 40 days to Living your Purpose.

This week the chapters and lessons actually hit the nail on the head addressing the way many of us might be feeling.

We have a choice.

We can interrupt our toxic thoughts.

We can choose to be grateful.

We can choose to see beauty.

We can choose joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9 ESV

(Just to add perspective, Paul wrote this while in prison with a death sentence on his head)

But how? Here are a few practical things I have been doing to stay out of my head:

• Stay busy. I’m a homebody anyways, but I have little projects around the house I’ve been doing. I’m gardening, cleaning out the kids closets, and organizing. I even set up a little “work from home” area.

• Rest and Routines. I’ve been making sure I get enough sleep and taken a few naps with my kids. I’ve tried to stay on a typical schedule as much as I can. Even on a regular Spring Break, I have to keep regular wake up times, and routines.
• Exercise. Personally, I hate exercise. (I made a C in PE once.) But I do enjoy walking, gardening, and being outside.
• Write. Writing is my method for getting out of head. Even if no one reads this, that’s fine; I write mostly for me.
• Connect. I’ve been text messaging friends more often than I usually do. I’ve called to check on family. And mostly talking with my kids. My 3 year old is currently saying I’m her best friend.
• Reduce the noise. While I use social media to connect to friends, I have limited the time I spend online. Also, I’ve only been checking the news twice a day. And not at all after 8pm.
• Watch. We have been watching family movies each evening. This helps me stay off my phone or news at night. Plus, ending the day snuggled up on the couch is awesome.
• Read. Bible books in the morning but fiction later in the day. Currently reading the fiction book The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah on kindle. It’s set in the 70’s as a dysfunctional family attempt to start a new life in Alaska.

What are you doing to stay out of your head?

Resources:

Get Out of Your Head:Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601429649/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LzJDEb7JBXA05

Made for This: Made for This: 40 Days to Living Your Purpose https://www.amazon.com/dp/0785229078/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MAJDEbTSG47ZS

The Great Alone: The Great Alone: A Novel https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250229537/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vxJDEbVCBPD5J