I was recently listening to a 3 part series on people living rent-free in your head and thought that it’s definitely a topic worthy of further exploration. Have you ever felt like there’s a rowdy bunch crashing your brain space, partying on and refusing to pay rent? Yep, I’m talking about those pesky thoughts, memories, but mainly people who just won’t vacate your mind, no matter how many eviction notices you serve them.
Fear not, because today we’re going to discuss how to kick those mental squatters out and reclaim your precious mind real estate. And hey, we’ll do it with a sprinkling of humour because let’s face it, evictions are serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a laugh along the way!
- Identify the Freeloaders: The first step in any successful eviction process is identifying the freeloaders. Who are those negative people, thoughts or memories that keep popping up uninvited? Remembering that awareness is always half the battle. Is it your high school bully, that embarrassing moment from five years ago, or maybe it’s that comment your Mother-in-Law made 10 years’ that you have never forgotten or perhaps the lyrics to “Baby Shark” that won’t stop playing on loop in your head? Once you’ve pinpointed them, you’re ready for step two.
- Serve Them an Eviction Notice: Now, I’m not suggesting you start drafting legal documents for your thoughts (although, that could be an interesting concept for a sci-fi movie). Instead, mentally serve those freeloaders an eviction notice. Picture yourself handing them a tiny suitcase and a stern warning to pack up and hit the road and usher them to the door. Bonus points if you imagine them scrambling to find a new place to crash. Visualization is so incredibly powerful so never underestimate it.
- Change the Locks: Okay, so you can’t exactly change the locks on your brain (trust me, I’ve tried). But you can change the way you respond to those intrusive thoughts. Instead of letting them waltz in unannounced, put up some mental barriers. Maybe visualize a giant “Do Not Disturb” sign or imagine a bouncer at the entrance of your mind, checking IDs and turning away unwanted guests. Or an NLP trick, do something physical like stomp your foot or clap your hands – we call it anchoring and every time you do it, it’s a psychological trigger to actively do something else that will take up your headspace instead (and preferably pay rent).
- Throw a Mental Housewarming Party: Once you’ve successfully evicted those mental squatters, it’s time to celebrate! Throw a mental housewarming party and invite only the people, thoughts and memories that bring you joy and positivity. Picture yourself sipping imaginary cocktails with your favourite memories, most loved people (these could be people you know or not – up to you), dancing to your favourite songs, and basking in the newfound tranquility of your headspace. Really take the time to do these exercises as the power is in the doing – not the knowing.
- Stand Guard (preferably with a remote gate controller in your hand): Finally, to prevent future squatters from taking up residence in your mind, practice mindfulness as much as possible. Remaining present in the moment and gently redirecting your thoughts when they start veering off into unwanted territory takes conscious thought but as with any new habit, it takes time and practise. Think of it as mental feng shui – constantly rearranging and decluttering to create a harmonious living space for your mind.
So there you have it, folks – a lighthearted guide to evicting those who live rent-free in your mind. Remember, you’re the landlord of your own brain, you’re the owner of your mental real estate and it’s up to you to decide who gets to stay and who gets the boot. So go forth, reclaim your mental space, and may your mind be as clutter-free as a minimalist’s dream apartment! And if you’re wanting to catch that 3 part series about those living rent free in your head, go here: https://www.facebook.com/prosperityoflifeofficial