Crazed and Confused

Sometimes with the best intentions we start our day and then one thing happens and it falls apart. Your mind is outa sorts, you cannot focus on tasks and your mood has simply been set for the remainder of the day. Or is it? Tips on resetting your day begin with your mindset. I recognize that can be easier said than done at times so I thought I would give a few tips.

Not sure if you have heard of a container exercise, but in a nutshell here it is…

1. Shut your eyes and visualize a container, any shape or size, any material with the ability to open and close.

2. When you have a container in mind, cross your arms across your chest and begin patting your hands on your upper arms one at a time, right, left, right, left and so on. Do this for about a minute with your container clearly in your mind.

3. Once you stop tapping, hone into your container with your senses. What do you see? What texture does it feel like? How does it smell? What color is it? Is it cold, hot, coarse or smooth to the touch? Can you hear through it? What is it made of? What does it weigh? Does it make noise when you open and close it?

4. Once you have every detail in mind, open up the container and begin to place in there the incident that may have caused you distress, the worry or anxious thoughts you may have, fears, sadness, frustration, anger, helplessness, lack of control…just fill that sucker up as there is no depth limit in this container.

5. Once your have unleashed all of your feelings into this container, shut the lid and place it somewhere int you mind where you can easily access again. That may be when it is safe to process select feelings or add more to the container. These feelings will be held in this container until you are ready.

6. Lastly, bear hug again, tap and ensure you can access your container. You don’t need to open it, simply understand how easy it is to find it again.

I hope this helps. I try to work in gratitude, intentions and affirmations to complete the mindful exercise.Just remember, no one has the power to make us feel one way or another. We are responsible for how we react or respond, only us.