I think Maxie may have been reading my mind when she wrote this. I’ve been in my own way for a major project… for six months. I let one thought sink in and it spiraled to downright paralysis. Only this past week have I been able to get out of my own head and it was from taking the smallest step I could think of, which led to another step and then another.
A Few Ways to Get Out of Your Own Head
Guest Post by Maxie McCoy
No matter what it is that you want to do, or to feel, or to accomplish… there’s probably only one real thing standing in your way. It’s the same thing that stands in all of our ways. It’s you. No matter what your individual challenges are, or what unique hardships you face, or what the hurdles on your path may be… if you can believe in yourself, you can find your way around any and all of them.
But you have to get out of your own way first.
Most times, standing in our own way comes in the form of the beliefs and the thoughts we have playing on repeat that tells us something that’s not true… like how we’ll never make it… or how we don’t deserve what we want…or how we’re doing it all wrong…or how we need to play down our talents and brilliance. It shows up in believing our fear, getting into negative patterns, and thus not taking action on the future that we see so clearly for ourselves.
We’re in our head. We’re in our way. And if we can get out of both of those things we’ll see so much momentum around what it is that we want. It’ll materialize quicker. So if you find that you’re in your own head (like I often am), see if any of these ideas are helpful.
Journal it out so you can let it go. Writing will always be a tool you can come back to, anytime and anywhere. And it’s something that – whether you’re scribbling in an actual journal or typing away furiously in the notes on your phone – you have access to. It will get the thoughts and the angst out of your head and somewhere else. This will hopefully give you more brain and heart space for the good stuff.
Ask, is it true? Especially when you’re feeling anxiety or fear, asking if what you’re feeling or thinking is true can bring you back. You might find that none of these wild things your brain is telling you is true. And you’ll feel a bit calmer.
Pay attention to your actual reality. Presence is a powerful way to get out of your head. And it is about so much more than just “not being on your phone” all the time. Presence is about really being in your body, and in the moment, and out of all the thoughts circling like crazy in your head. Start by looking around, by observing, by seeing if you can feel the tingles of being alive in your hands. It’ll help your brain from running so fast.
Do something tiny. One of the best ways to get out of your own way is to get moving. You don’t have to go do something big and wild and crazy. You just have to do something small. Prove to yourself that you can create your own momentum. You can create your own reality. Because while you might be in your own head, you can still take action…which will prove to you that in order to have the effect you want…you’ve got to be your own cause! Big things can come from tiny choices.
It’s OK if you’re in your own head. I feel like I always am. And while great processing and creativity and inspiration can happen inside there….there’s a time and a place when it stops being helpful, and when you start being your own obstacle. Get out of your head and back into your life, because that’s where the magic happens.
For more inspiration from Maxie, read her book You’re Not Lost.
