Feeling Stuck? Thankfully, Your Mind Isn't!

Do you ever hear that internal voice whispering, “You’re not good enough,” or “You’re too broken,” or maybe, "You're too much," making you feel fundamentally like sh*t or stuck in a pattern or self-loathing? These thoughts hang around in bed as you try to go to sleep, or greet you in the morning with a snarl—they are a cycle of rumination? Meaning you keep hearing the same cruddy thought a million different ways over and over? 

Many of us get convinced that these narratives are true, that there's nothing we can do, and that we're destined to replay these limiting thoughts.

But here is some good news: That simply isn’t true.

The reality is that your brain is not set in stone. This ability to change and reorganize itself and your thoughts throughout your life is called neuroplasticity.

That’s a fancy way of saying it’s still internally shapeable. Think of those repetitive negative thoughts like a well-worn path in the woods; hundreds of footsteps have carved it deep, making it feel familiar, even if that path leads right off a cliff.

Neuroplasticity is your brain’s remarkable way of staying flexible and resilient, allowing it to continually update its wiring. That means making new paths. You can retrain your brain, no matter your age, whether you are 26 or 86.

And this isn’t woo-woo thinking. There is science behind it.

• The brain is malleable at any age: Neuroplasticity allows the nervous system to reorganize its structure and function in response to experience, learning, trauma, or injury. This capability allows adults to form new neural connections and habits, even when focused effort is required.

• Repetition is rewiring: Neural pathways (these are your brain’s little paths telling it what to do and think) strengthen and become more automatic the more you repeat a thought or action. This is the process of carving new, positive paths.

• Conscious effort creates new circuits: Engaging in focused effort, mindfulness, and intentional practice actively builds positive pathways, transforming a new behavior from a temporary state into a long-term trait.

The challenge now is taking out the weed whacker, putting on your sneakers, and carving that new, healthier path.

This is the start of communicating the life you want.

3 simple steps to start your rewiring journey

• Notice the path: The first step to rewiring your brain is simply to acknowledge the habit or negative thought you want to change.

• Ask for helpfulness: When an unhelpful thought pops up, quickly ask yourself, “Is this thought helpful?” and “Does it align with my goals?”

• Create a cue: Engage your senses to interrupt the negative pattern; try taking a deep breath or focusing on a physical sensation. This overrides thinking and encourages swifter change.

You are always training your mind, whether you realize it or not, so choose to train it toward strength rather than struggle.

By consistently taking small, intentional steps, you can harness your brain’s adaptive power. Try it now! "I am choosing a new path forward!"

Ready to dive deeper into communicating the life you want? Take the next step:

Take our short survey on communications to help us understand how you talk to yourself and others. Book a time with Coach Carrie to start harnessing your neuroplasticity today.