Learn to Observe and Label Your Thoughts
Humans, by our very nature, struggle to stay in the present moment. According to a Harvard study, people spend 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they are doing.
Sometimes called the wandering mind or the “monkey mind” — like a monkey jumping from branch to branch — our brains are always thinking, thinking, thinking.
I need to make dinner. My back hurts. I wonder what Liz really meant when she said that.
Practicing mindfulness doesn’t stop these thoughts from occurring. Instead, it helps you begin to notice them and, over time, let them go. If you’ve ever felt like your brain was a pinball machine, with thoughts constantly pinging around inside it, you’ll want to keep reading.
The practice consists of two steps. First, you observe or notice your thoughts. Second, you label them, categorizing them under a type of thought all humans have. (More on those in a moment.)
Observing and labeling helps you take a step back from what your mind is doing so you can focus on being present in your surroundings.
For example, if your thoughts turn to a conversation from the past, you might struggle with turning the situation over in your head.
I wonder what Liz really meant when she said that. Did she like what I was wearing or was she making a joke? Should I have said something else? Does Liz like me? I’ll never make any friends.
But if you can observe what your mind is thinking and label the type of thoughts you’re having, then you may be able to detach from them. Labels can include “judgment,” “planning,” “fear,” or “remembering.”
Notice what happens when you label the first thought you had about Liz as “fear.”
I wonder what Liz really meant when she said that. That thought is fear. I want to make a good impression on Liz because I am hoping to become her friend.
The act of labeling your thoughts can be powerful. In the instance above, it can help you see why you may be feeling nervous or worried.
Some mindfulness teachers recommend observing your thoughts as if they’re happening to a character in a book or TV show. This helps you keep from judging yourself and develop empathy for whatever you may be feeling.
As you try this new way of being with your thoughts, try to remain curious and nonjudgmental with whatever arises. Have compassion for yourself as you would for a friend.
