I think one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from working with Naomi Goodlet so far was this:

Just because I have a thought, doesn’t mean I have to engage that thought.

As much as anxiety is a physical feeling, at it’s core it is reaction to our thoughts. I’m learning that if I change how I react or how deeply I engage my thoughts, changes how high my anxiety levels become.

One of my favorite meditations I’ve done with Naomi has been about releasing thoughts. The guided meditation talks about sitting in front of a stream and letting your thoughts flow down the water on leaves. I liked it but when I thought on my own about how I want to let my thoughts go, how to let them pass me by without engaging in them, I connect with sitting in a circle in the forest and let my thoughts float away on butterflies.

I decided to paint a butterfly as a reminder that just because I have a thought doesn’t mean I have to focus on that thought. I can watch it come and go, I can make a note to myself to think about the topic later, I don’t have to let it sit in my mind.

Butterflies have almost always been a personal symbol for me and this is just a new way for me to look at them. I like to use butterflies to let my thoughts ‘float away’ because I see it in my mind as them fluttering around, still there for when I DO want or need to engage with the thought, but I don’t have to worry about it at the present time.

I’m learning that wellness and recovery isn’t necessarily about control or about completely throwing your thoughts and feelings away. It’s learning to allow the thoughts, let the be or put it aside until you are ready to focus on that specific idea.

I’ve used this several times in ‘real time’ practice over the last few weeks. I’ll have a negative thought or something that makes my breath catch and I can feel the anxiety rising and I’ll tell my husband, “I want to talk to you about X or Y later tonight when we have the free time.” It’s such a great practice because I don’t want to be sitting stressing about money or my to-do list when it’s supposed to be family time with my son and husband.

I’ve hung my butterfly up on a wall about 3 feet from my computer desk. I can turn my head slightly to the left, and there it is…the perfect reminder and something beautiful to focus on and look at when I need a break.

I so love surrounding myself with art I’ve created that means something and I love when it helps on my recovery journey. Learning to allow but not engage my thoughts unless I want or need to is something that is so significant and so helpful to my journey.

Go to Naomi’s Youtube to listen to the Leaves on a Stream Meditation.

Share: Have you tried this technique of letting your thoughts float away and not engaging in them unless you choose to? How can you create something to remind yourself of the most essential parts of your wellness journey?