Don't Pick That Up. You Don't Need It.

I shed tears on my favorite trail a few weeks ago when replay of some hurtful events took hold of my consciousness. A lump welled in my throat and pretty soon the trail became blurry through my wet eyes. I felt sad and angry. My mind was behaving like a glitched soundtrack: only playing the same select hurtful scenes again and again. I started talking vehemently to myself. Mouth moving, no sound coming out, the best, carefully crafted barbs spewing perfectly at the just the right target.

I sighed. As much as I had made space and taken time to feel all of the things from these events, I didn't like that these scenes were still popping into my brain at random times. It was happening less and less, but still ...getting hijacked in emotion glitches just doesn't ever feel great. Perceived injustices smothered my gratitude and awe on the trails. I thought about all of this as I continued down the canyon. Then another thought came to me: don't pick it up. I saw an image in my head of a large imaginary rock. I had paused on my hike to pick it up and heave onto my back.

Don't Pick it Up.

I said it out loud (an under my breath): You don't need to pick that up again Katie. Just leave it. This stuff pops into your brain but you don't have to entertain it. You already dealt with it. You've processed this. You've already cried and processed your rage in healthy ways. Leave it. Don't pick it up.

Friends, this has helped me so so much. Guess what my intentional thought is for the week? I've shortened it and applied it broadly:

You don't need that.

Scooping a second heaping a peanut butter straight from the jar after breakfast. Ohh, actually Katie, you don't need this.

Five fall favorite to revitalize your wardrobe this season! Don't need that.

Standing in line at the chocolate shop, eyeing the fudge samples: ope, you don't need that.

The urge to scroll short-form video: Katie ...I don't think you actually need that.

Two six foot nutcracker soldiers! Katie, back away slowly. You don't need those.

Eyeing the web browser on my phone dock: Hey, maybe you don't need that [deletes]. (Maybe I do though?? I'll find out.)

Intriguing instagram ad for a portable exoskeleton chair. Huh. Really don't need that.

I walked through aisles of a giant craft store yesterday realizing most of marketing boils down to different forms of Hey, You Need This. Of course, sometimes I agree. But this week I've been considering the time, money, attention, and so much more freedom on the other side of hmmm, probably don't need that.

Until my brain finds a way to circumvent my new thought hack, I'll be reveling in this new-found power. What are you not picking up this week?