A storm in my head

[Daniel S]

Hey,

I have a few problems. Its my mind thats a little crazy. For example when I have been working alot one day on a big goal and I am very excited about it I cant stop thinking about it. Its overwhelming my mind. Its like a storm in there. When I get to this state I just cant focus on other things except maybe if I am talking to some person about something else. But even if I watch tv or something I am still in my head storming around. I think I am addicted to thinking about problems and explaining solutions in my head! And being happy with that. Its crazy-

And when I try to sleep this can take over completely. Its like I am lecturing in my head to an fake audience about what I have been doing today or about ideas I have. And sometimes I forsee an argument from someone and I play it out in my head exactly who it goes. Its like instead of actually talking to people I talk to people in my head. And when I try to sleep this goes on so I cant sleep. I have tried to focus on my breath and relaxing but after I while I just say "Yes this is working. This is how I did it bla bla" and I go on to explai how it works and off course then I am out again. Any ideas anyone?

[cdn2wheeler]

First of all, Daniel, welcome to the boards. Glad to have you here.

What you're experiencing is extremely common. All of us, to some degree, have this inner chatter which beaks at us incessantly. Sometimes it's louder than others and sometimes one can put it in a box and shut it away for a short time, but it's always there.

Perhaps you're luckier than most. When you do these arguments/discussions in your head, that's very similar to a visualization process of playing out your intended consequences. It's just like a pitcher visualizing the pitch going straight through the strike zone and watching the batter swing helplessly at air with something streaking by him at 94 mph, or the basketball player closing his eyes while making a foul shot and seeing in his mind the ball swish through the net (Michael Jordan used to do this all the time).

I get the sense that you're more of an auditory learner than a visual one (though perhaps I'm wrong on this). You might try listening to some audio CDs when you go to bed and give yourself permission to just enjoy the music in the moment. After all, those thoughts and whatnot will still be there the next morning when you're better prepared to deal with them. Basically, it's like a meditation process to just still the inner chatter for a short time.

I personally have been using the Holosync set of CDs to help shut up my inner critic - he's a real b@st@rd, lemme tell ya! - and it's helping me gain more control of this inner chatter. There are a few threads about Holosync here; a brief search will come up with some of them.

[Dreamlife Hero]

Hi Daniel, I think what you're experiencing is quite normal to most people to a greater or lesser extent.

I used to have that a lot and it would drive me nuts!

First of all though I think it's a good thing that you're clearly excited about life and generating a lot of energy.

But, if it's distracting you or preventing you from sleeping then maybe you need to turn the inner volume down a bit. (very NLP/ Anthony Robbins I know!)

Some things that work for me are 1) Meditation to focus your mind and still things a bit, 2) Say to yourself, when you catch yourself having conversations in your head: "STOP! This conversation/ argument didn't happen and probably won't!" (That gets easier with practice- trust me) and 3) Bring your awareness back to the present moment..look around at where you are and re-direct your thoughts to your outer surroundings consciously instead of looking inward.

Another thing I find useful is spending a period of time each day noting my thoughts down on paper (or on your computer if you prefer). You can even throw them away then if you don't want to keep a journal but this might just help.

Good luck,

DLH

[Rose of Cairo]

Hi Daniel,

welcome to the forums!

Have you already read The Power of Now? It's exactly about constant inner chatter and how to get rid of it. Great book!

To me it also looks like there is some potential here that wants to be expressed. I don't know what you do in your life, but maybe you need to solve more problems or to explain more things to more people? Or you just need to express yourself much more. How about writing, starting a blog or giving talks? You could also try dancing, painting, whatever, but it looks like you're more of a verbal person who needs to use words. Talk to people, write. Express yourself! Give the world what's in your head, or you're going to explode

[dancer]

Read 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle. I'm far from being a master, but reading his book gave me a tool to silence the inner chatter that actually works.

Going for a run or working out might also help.

[Daniel S]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the insights.

I guees I forgot to introduce myself. I am 27 years old and I live in Stockholm Sweden. I am "studying" but right now I am thinking alot about life and what I want to do. I have actually read some NLP and am into Tony Robbins "Awaken the Giant within" right now. I have also read and listened to many other self help books. The Einstein Factor, Photo reading, Think and grow rich and the likes, I just have not "used" them. I recently heard that some people are addicted to their struggle. I think I may be that. I have noticed that I am a little addicted to information and I have problems to actually take in a technique and do it until I do it unconsciously.

I think I may be primarily auditory. I have some trouble expressing myself though. Its like when I try to explain something to "real " people I forget certain key words and I lose my momentum or I cant really piece it together in words. Its totally clear in my head but I just cant get it out. I just figure that I need to build on my vocabulary and talk to alot of people to fix this. Its not my language though, I am probably just as good in speaking english as I am in Swedish but it occurs when I speak both languages. I think I have been thinking to much and not writing/talking enough in my life.

Actually because of this I dont really try to expain to many things to people and I usually just say short sentences this is mostly with new people and bigger mixed groups of different people. With friends I just talk, but still the problem is there with lost words and its annoying. I think this has created some limiting belief that "why talk to people they dont listen to me, they are probably not interested in what I have to say. Its hard to talk to people. I have to make a big effort" Though one thing I notices I really enjoyed, I am really good at math and when I have been studying with friends that are not as good, I love teaching them how things work and then I am an expert on explaining all of a sudden.

Regarding "the Power of Now", does that actually work? It feels so "out there" is it really possible to be totally happy and content in the now? What are your experienses there? Again thanks for the help!

[Mags]

Originally Posted by Daniel S

Regarding "the Power of Now", does that actually work? It feels so "out there" is it really possible to be totally happy and content in the now? What are your experienses there? Again thanks for the help!

Yes, it works. It takes some self-discipline at first to keep practising it because it's so different to what we're used to, but it does become easier and more natural. It's like learning to drive a car, in that at first you have to be really conscious of what you're doing while you're developing new habits and skills, but after a while your competence becomes unconscious and a "new normal" way of being and doing.

For me, living in the now is a very peaceful place to be, and I experience a deep profound sense of joy. I could feel the difference in myself living this way, and it appears that it was (and is) noticeable to others (people started to say things to me like "I like being around you, you have good vibes" ).

[Rose of Cairo]

Ah, Daniel, I'm a bit like you, I read tons of books, but there is so much interesting new stuff out there that I don't have any time to really practice what I read. I already have a huge list of books I want to apply more in my life...

Just wanted to recommend you a few other books based on what you wrote, especially your negative thoughts... but I realize that it's more important to slowly take one step at the time and really, consciously apply and practice it. So I won't tell you anything more than: read The Power of Now, and do it!!!

Yes, it works. I don't work on it as deeply as I'd like, but I noticed a HUGE difference since I try to do it. I feel much more peaceful. I still think like crazy sometimes, but I'm able to breathe out, let go of all thought and stay thoughtless for a few moments, and that feels just wonderful

Best wishes to you!