Mental Minimalism

Recently, I came across the term Mental Minimalism on the internet. The more I read about it, the more I was intrigued. Mental Minimalism advocates de-cluttering our minds from thoughts, emotions, memories, imagination and focusing on the present moment. It sounds rather simple, doesn't it? But that's what minimalism is - living with less. It means getting rid of the excess baggage.

 

Are you are over-thinker? 

Have you ever been grappled with thoughts that wreck the present happy moments? 

Does your mind constantly make up stories?  

How do we de-clutter our brain when it if filled with busy, useless thoughts? 

How do we practice Mental Minimalism?

 

Mark Twain, a noted novelist and humorist said, “I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” Russ Harris, the author of The Happiness Trap says, “Evolution has shaped our brains so that we are hardwired to suffer psychologically: to compare, evaluate, and criticize ourselves, to focus on what we’re lacking, to rapidly become dissatisfied with what we have, and to imagine all sorts of frightening scenarios, most of which will never happen. No wonder humans find it hard to be happy!”
 

Scientific studies have confirmed that if our mind focuses on a specific target, or a specific task in the present moment, it is much happier than when it is simply wandering. As mundane as it might sound, focusing on everyday tasks like making your bed, brushing, cooking, cleaning etc. makes you contented in the present moment rather than woolgathering, and being distracted by gadgets and gizmos. 

Secondly, when the mind is overthinking or preoccupied with "to-do" lists, it stresses out. Stopping to take a breath or two (or ten), helps our brain calm down. It may also help to close your eyes do a guided visualization of a serene, safe place and allowing that scene to "bloom within" us. Mindfulness meditation is also a good option. It can help us observe our thoughts and feelings from a third party perspective, without any judgement.

 

Every day is a discovery. Every day you discover a little bit of yourself. Somedays you discover that you have what it takes to be strong. Somedays you discover you have what it takes to be resilient. Somedays you discover that you are open to the possibilities that today might bring. Somedays you discover that no matter what today might have in store for you, you will focus on the positive and keep going. Somedays you discover that you will survive... regardless of how awful the present circumstances are!

This discovery, my friends, is what growth is all about. Neither is life is one happy moment after another, nor is life is not one happy moment away. Life is now! In this present moment.