Creating headspace for big thoughts
CREATE THE SPACE
I want to talk about creating space for you to think these big thoughts. For the longest time when I was challenged by a new concept or had a paradigm shifted, I felt the need to go full tilt. Buy a notebook, order 20 books on the subject, announce it online and make a big life change. How bloody overwhelming, when I was having those thoughts at least once a week. Braintrust has taught me that simply creating the space for those thoughts is enough - you don't always need to reach a conclusive decision or make any changes. Recently I've been plagued with questions about my purpose and my job. They'll normally hit me 5 minutes before bedtime and settle into the most anxious parts of my heart and seep into those twisted knots in my shoulders. I've been trying SO hard to just create the right space for them to feel welcome but not overwhelming.
I've found it helpful to think about them as house guests. When they barge in, instead of frantically trying to tidy up around them, I literally envision myself doing that sweeping arm gesture and asking "won't you please come in?". I let them in, get them a cup of tea and a magazine, tell them they can make themselves comfortable and stay and I'll be with them when I can. And then I get on with my life. I let those thoughts bounce around in the back of my brain or write them into my notebook, listen to what they say when they pipe up, sit down with them when I can but I'm learning to not let them take over.
WHY CREATE HEADSPACE?
1.
You deserve to give yourself the time and space
to question things, mull over them, change opinions, realise new things about yourself and what you want to do all in your own time.
2.
Your headspace is a finite resource.
Don't invite any and every thought inside. They don't all deserve tea and hospitality right now. Some can wait for when you have the time.
3.
Reflection is hard work.
It's not just 'a bit of thinking'. Acknowledge the effort and work it takes to reflect, and give yourself the permission to devote some headspace to think about something.
4.
Headspace means different things for different people.
For some, it might be swopping true crime podcasts for entrepreneurship ones, waking up an hour early just to think, setting up a weekly brain trust, going for a walk with a set of questions you're trying to answer. It could be journalling, therapy, talking to yourself in the bath, or reading this newsletter. All options are valid. Try out a few and find what works for you.
What are you going to create headspace for in the next few weeks? And how are you going to do it?