This morning, I found myself caught in a familiar cycle—a habit loop that pulled me into a state of anxiety and discomfort. The trigger was straightforward: I noticed that I had been left out of a team activity. Immediately, my mind began to generate stories, trying to make sense of the situation. “They don’t want my feedback,” it whispered. “They don’t want me on the team.” And so, the loop began: my brain searched for reasons, both benign and malicious, as to why this might have happened. Was it an accident? Was it intentional?
This mental spin cycle wound me up into a tight ball of suffering, a feeling that was all too familiar. The behavior—allowing my mind to spin these stories—only served to intensify my anxiety. The result? I felt bad. Really bad.
But this time, something different happened. Thanks to the tools I’ve learned through the Mindshift Method, I became aware of what was happening. This wasn’t the first time I had encountered this kind of self-inflicted anxiety, and thankfully, I recognized it for what it was: a habit loop.
Using the Mindshift Method, I engaged the first gear—becoming aware of the habit loop as it was happening. I could clearly see the trigger (feeling left out) and the behavior (spinning stories) for what they were. In the second gear, I began to examine what I was actually getting from these thoughts and behaviors. The disenchantment with how my stories were winding me into a tighter ball of suffering gave me the opportunity to shift into the third gear. This is where the freedom of choice arises from embodied awareness.
At this point, I made a conscious choice to shift into the third gear by stepping outside of the loop. I offered myself some compassion and connected with a friend. I shared my experience openly and honestly, expressing my desire to move beyond these feelings. This act of connection changed everything. By reaching out and sharing my experience, I was able to find joy in my teammates once again and reconnect with my sense of purpose.
This experience reminded me of the power of the Mindshift Method in breaking free from unhelpful habit loops. It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of negative thinking, especially when we feel excluded or overlooked. But by engaging the gears of the Mindshift Method, we can choose a different path—one that leads to connection, compassion, and ultimately, a greater sense of peace and well-being.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my friend and the tools provided by the Mindshift Method. They have allowed me to see these habits for what they are, step outside of them, and reconnect with what truly matters. This journey is ongoing, but each step forward brings me closer to living with more joy, purpose, and connection.
Reflection and Practice:
- First Gear: Recognize the habit loop. What triggers these patterns, and how do they show up in your thoughts and behaviors?
- Second Gear: Investigate what you’re getting from these behaviors. Are they truly serving you, or are they leading to more suffering?
- Third Gear: Embrace the freedom of choice that arises from embodied awareness. Consider reaching out to a friend, practicing self-compassion, or finding joy in connection.
By applying the Mindshift Method, we can transform our experience from one of suffering to one of growth and connection, empowering us to live more fulfilling lives.
