30 Days of Encouragement – Day 10 

Mind Monsters

Today is all about Mind Monsters. Welcome to Day 10 of 30 Days of Encouragement. To start at Day 1, click here. The Mind Monsters are those critical, self-doubt enhancing voices that like to attack when defenses are down.  Their peak working hours are in the quiet of the evening, while you are laying in bed attempting to fall asleep, and first thing in the morning before you are fully awake—that in-between zone known as groggy. The rescue is here! Have no fear!

In the Cool of the Evening

Ah, the cool of the evening. When everything is winding down, you can finally get some respite from all the day’s demands. The moment has come for you to relax and enjoy the quiet serenity of the MIND MONSTERS. That’s right, folks. The evening is one of the peak times over accusatory thoughts kick into gear. The monsters that slip in with seemingly innocent questions about what you may or may not have gotten around to that day because life quickly turns into you-didn’t, you-missed, or you-failed.

You hit back with rebuttals and arguments, grant yourself some grace because life, and get back to relaxing. Little do you know, that was merely the appetizer. 

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

After incorrectly thinking you defeated the self-defeating thoughts that so rudely interrupted your relaxation time, you begin the trek towards the bed. That’s right, kids. As adults getting into bed is a trek, not a decision. You are thinking about what needs to be prioritized in the morning, minding your own business. As you brush your teeth, all is well.

You finally climb into bed, looking forward to some well-deserved rest. BAM! The onslaught begins. How could you have said that to her? Why didn’t you do this? Why didn’t you do that? You missed the mark there. You were insulting. How silly of you to ever even think you deserved something like that. It will never happen for you. When are you going to get it together? How often have you said you wanted to quit and still haven’t? Failure. You really should have done better. All ready for some shut-eye now. Nooooooottttt. After tossing back and forth, trying to fight back the thoughts, if you are fortunate, your body overrides your mind and goes to sleep. It is hardly fitful, though.

Rise and Shine

*hums Rossini’s beginning of “The William Tell Overture* The birds are chirping, the sun is maybe shining, and the alarm is already aggravating in its insistence. You are awake. Barely. The thoughts you valiantly fought before bed seem a distant memory. But wait. What is this? Yet another barrage of MIND MONSTERS.  

What are you doing with your life? Not again. I shouldn’t be complaining about this job. It isn’t that bad. I don’t want to go. Please don’t make me. Am I always going to feel this way? Is this all life has to offer? NOOOOOOOOOOO. How am I still here? How am I still fighting all of the same thoughts?

Tally-ho, Elvira

The Mind Monsters get us all at various points in time. It may not be nightly or daily, but they do like to rear their heads frequently, depending on the circumstances. Mine happens to be stronger in the morning. They get me at night, but only if I stay up past a particular hour. That hour is nearer 11P for those curious. Mine like to remind me of what I have not accomplished in a day or my lifetime. As if there are specific things I should have reached by this point. 

The more tired I am, the more monsters there are. The more likely I am to believe their shouting too. The timing of their appearances is curious to me. As if they could not handle me should they choose to attack when I am alert and steady within myself. It is only when my defenses are down, or I am exhausted that they begin their rants. They’d not stand much of a chance at any other time. I find that encouraging. Attacking at the weakest point is a sign of a low-power rival. Consider that. 

What do I do in those times? I pull on the reserves and talk back by clearly stating what I did well in the particular day or area they accuse me of being awful. Make it a game. I have named the hyper-critical voice in my head Elvira. I cannot take Elvira’s name seriously (no offense to any Elvira’s out there), and it immediately takes away the voice’s power. Shouting TALLY-HO into the air (aloud when able) is also incredibly disruptive to them. Shouting it directly at your Elvira is nice too. Bottom line: talk back. Not every thought is yours, so don’t claim them as such. 

Until Next Time,

Rah