I want you to perform a mind assessment on yourself for the next few weeks. As we prepare to face the mind-killers this year, this is step one. Like any other diagnostic, the intent is to size up the situation so we know what needs the most work. You don’t need to do it every day. But try to set aside twenty minutes or so a few times a week for this exercise. For paid subscribers, I’ve recorded an audio track below to guide you in this process. Here are step-by-step instructions:
Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit.
For ten minutes, pay attention to your thoughts. Make them your focal point. Don’t direct them in any way. Just notice where they go. Is there a persistent talk track in place? Do you dwell on something repeatedly? You can do this with your eyes open or closed. Try both.
Write down your findings in a journal for the next ten minutes. Be honest with yourself but not judgmental. The idea is to be an objective observer. And remember, no one else is going to see any of this. The more truthful you can be, the better.
Do this a dozen times over the next two to four weeks at different times of the day. When you are done, take stock of everything you’ve written. Are there any patterns that are particularly unhelpful or destructive? Resist the temptation to label them as “anxiety,” “depression,” or “PTSD.” I want you to be more granular instead of putting yourself in some predetermined box. Start by knowing exactly what you are doing without placing it in a category.
Keep these notes for future reference, and stay tuned.
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