Noisiest Things

What’s the noisiest thing in your life? For me, it’s the constant rumblings in my own brain. Statistics say that 60,000 thoughts a day race through our minds. And, shockingly, 95% of them are the exact same thoughts as the day before—and 80% are negative.

I’m not sure which part is more terrifying: the fact that we’re running the same mental loop on repeat or that we’re probably spending most of the day bad-mouthing ourselves. Neither option seems great for our mental health or self-esteem. The solutions to both are easy to suggest, and impossible to actually do.

• Break the repetitive thought pattern: This is something I started doing in college after my first boyfriend broke up with me (because yes, we all have that moment). The trick is to name what you’re obsessing over, and when you catch yourself doing it, set a time limit. Each day, shrink that time until, eventually, you’ve broken the cycle.
• Practice moments of stillness: And I’m not talking about the kind of stillness where your body is parked in a chair but your mind is still running a marathon. I mean real stillness—mind, body, and emotions all in one place. There are plenty of practices that help with this: meditation, contemplation, centering prayer. But when I bring this up to people, I often hear, “I can’t do this.” Which is, of course, precisely why it might be worth trying.
• Engage in mindful distractions: Sometimes, the key to quieting the noise is not trying to force your mind to stop but instead redirecting it in a healthier direction. Engage in activities that require your full attention—whether it’s a physical or mental activity – or even a deep conversation with a friend. These “distractions” can help create space between you and your thoughts, allowing you to regain control of your mind without feeling like you have to wrestle it into silence. Over time, this can help break the grip of repetitive, negative thinking.