Monday, January 26, 2015

monkey mind

 There's a Buddhist term called "monkey mind". It's when your mind is whirling and won't turn off...you're feeling restless and unsettled. That's how I'm feeling today. I suppose it's part of
having anxiety.


All kinds of random thoughts have been going through my head all day...
I need to empty the dishwasher; I still need to put the clothes in the dryer; the kitchen
garbage needs to be taken out; the porch is a solid sheet of ice...I really should sprinkle
some salt there; oh yeah, while I'm outside I need to fill up the bird feeder. I wonder how
L (a relative in the hospital) is doing? I'm concerned about C and B (a couple of
friends who have cancer). Wonder if Tim's car is still pulling to the right when he brakes?

Oh shoot, I really need to bag up all that stuff for donation that's sitting downstairs. And
 then I'll need to load it into my car trunk. We need some groceries...
should I go do that today? Nah, I'll go Wednesday. The well guy is coming tomorrow to
shock chlorinate our well and so we won't be able to use our water for 24 hours. Can Brian
run to the store tonight while I'm at yoga class and pick up several gallons of water?
Which reminds me - better fill up the bathtub with water tomorrow so we can use that to
flush our toilets. Wow, it's January 26 already? Some friend's birthdays are coming up.
I'd better add birthday cards to my shopping list.
 

 And on and on it goes.


 So. This is where I'm writing this post. You can't tell from the view out the window, 
but it's snowing out there. I am watching the flakes dance around in the wind
and it's actually peaceful. Whaddya know. I'm looking at my poor plant by the window
 and willing it to perk up and hang in there. It's actually an outdoor plant from last summer
 that I brought inside when the weather got cold. Warmer weather is coming soon, little
plant. I promise.


 And this is where I'm headed now. My yoga mat. Some deep breathing, gentle
stretches, and...being still. Something that is very hard for me to do, but I'm learning.
It does help to calm that darn monkey mind.


 Check out this short, informative Huffington post article on how to tame your monkey mind.
Namaste! And happy Monday.
 


35 comments:

  1. I never knew there was a term for my crazy mind. I can never turn it off.

    That list of yours is way too long for me and I must say I was surprised to read that you have a well. Is that common to your area?

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    1. I think it's a common problem with women. I go through periods where I can't turn it off at night either, which is really yucky because then you can't sleep. But, I haven't had that problem in months. Maybe simply because it's winter - that I get a better sleep when it's cold and dark? Who knows. Yes, everyone here in our little town has a private well. No septic though. We have a community sewer system.

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  2. Monkey mind - I have to remember that! LOL

    Judy

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    1. I had never heard of it until I started taking yoga classes and the teacher told us about it!

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  3. I've never heard of monkey mind, but it seems that I've been suffering from this for some time now... who knew?

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  4. I came over from Connie's blog to congratulate you on your win. You have a wonderful blog, I've enjoyed looking around.
    I think I suffer from monkey mind sometimes but I never knew what to call it :)

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting from Connie's blog!

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  5. I do my yoga stretching on a mat twice per day. And I don't try to think about anything, but some of my very best ideas just spring to life during the 15 minutes or so I'm on that mat. I take something for anxiety. I know you don't like to do that. But life is short. I don't want to be a worry wart the whole time.
    Brenda

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    1. You are right - I don't like any prescription meds unless absolutely necessary. I used to take a medication for my anxiety, but the side effects weren't worth it. I manage my anxiety just fine now with yoga and meditation. I'm not a worry wart ALL the time. ;-)

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  6. Goodness, gracious.... I know how you feel! I know that some are worse than I am, but also I think it's just a woman thing. Or at least I've never met a man that worried as much as I do LOL

    Lovely to meet you :)
    rue

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    1. I do think it's more of a woman thing. Must be how we're wired. Thanks for visiting my blog. Looking forward to getting to know you better!

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  7. I think women are just natural born worriers. I definitely have monkey mind, I was sitting in church yesterday and my mind was going everywhere except where it should of been. Sometimes I wish I could take my mind, and set it aside somewhere and pick it up when I need it again. I've got to get back to yoga, should also help my neck and back.

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    1. Yoga does indeed help calm that whirling mind...and it also helps physically! My back feels so much better after yoga.

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  8. It's hard to stop all that thinking for sure. I saw that you were a winner. Good for you. Don't let all that stress get to you, hah, like I practice my own words. Stay warm. Hugs

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    1. I'm fine today. I calmed those annoying monkeys down, lol. Yes, I was very excited to have won Connie's giveaway!

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  9. I definitely have monkey mind, I just didn't know until now the name for it. I have always struggled with anxiety and racing thoughts in my head. It's not easy sometimes. I think you probably know what I mean, though. I'm glad you're finding ways to deal with it. I really should take up yoga, it always seems like something that would help me whenever I hear about it. I hope you're able to settle your mind. Have a good week.

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    1. Oh, I certainly do know what you mean. I think you would really like yoga. You should check into a class for yourself.

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  10. Mel...that list of yours sounds horribly long but that's just what it is for us women. I never really fret over those things, I'm pretty efficient and I know I can do those things pretty much blind. I really have that "Monkey Mind" when I try to sleep. It's never ending. I truly think I just need less sleep. I have no idea what to do with myself later at night and early in the morning. Is it because I don't watch much TV because of my hearing?

    I think the view out your window and your inviting and pretty desk are very calming...very pretty. And the yoga. I vowed to give it another try this year and I've yet to get over to the studio which is less than 10 minutes away.

    So...is this why you have a cat named Monkey? lol!

    Love ya,

    Jane x

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    1. I wasn't fretting...it was just all the stuff that was going through my mind at the time. I'm glad it wasn't while I was trying to sleep! I've been sleeping well lately. Late at night is when I read. Early in the morning is when I drink my coffee and read/reply to my email - unless I have somewhere to run off to first thing. I don't think it has anything to do with watching TV - I rarely watch it myself. Give yoga a try!

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  11. I love the term monkey mind. I call mine gabby mind, because I take Gabapentin and while one side of my mind is gabbing, the other side has no idea what it is saying. xo Laura

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  12. Monkey Mind!! Melanie, that is excally what I have. Now I have a name to put to it, my mind whirls so much sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going! I will definitely talk to my different monkeys and see what they have to say for themselves. I go to bed at night and think of all the things I didn't get done that day, maybe making a list will help?? My granddaughter is a great list maker, she seems so organized. (But I do wish she was a little neater as she lives with me lol) I always look forward to your posts. How far north do you live? The furthest I have been in Il. is Chicago. Good to hear from you hun. Love and hugs, Nana

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    1. I dunno, Nana...do you think if we talk to those monkeys, that they will act even more naughty and disturb us even more?! I make a lot of lists too, and it does help me to stay more organized. Thank you so much for saying you look forward to my posts. Sometimes I wonder if anyone does. But that's a whole other story. I wish I could email you personally, but your Blogger link doesn't lead to anything? If you see this reply, please send me your email address. I'm about 50 miles northwest of Chicago - more near the Wisconsin border.

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  13. Hi Melanie, well now I know that there is a name for it . . . besides mild insanity. The worst time for this to come on, is in the middle of the night. That's when I quietly get out of bed and start cleaning and moving furniture around while trying desperately not to wake Steve. Have you ever done that?

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    1. I had trouble with the not sleeping and racing thoughts last summer and early fall. Now that it's winter, I've been sleeping much better. I think it's the cold and the darkness...that I pretty much go into hibernation mode. Whatever it is, I'll take it. I would get out of bed and wander around the house and look out the front door window (make sure the Boogie Man isn't out there or anything), pet the cats...but no, no cleaning or moving furniture!

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  14. I hope that the monkey has shoved off somewhere else and left you in a haze of calm peaceful feelings without all these worries swirling round in your head. You obviously have a lot going on there right now. I hope that some of your worries will be eased very soon. xx

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    1. Thank you so much, Amy. I feel much better today. :-)

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  15. I find sometimes a long, brisk walk with my Ben helps with 'monkey mind'.

    Namaste!

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    1. Outdoor walks are a fantastic way to clear your head - you are right!

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    1. Seems to be a common theme here amongst us women!

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  17. I have monkey mind too.....I think I need to make a list and actually complete something. That should help!

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  18. Monkey mind, huh? I didn't know there was a name for it, but I've got it big time! Our oldest daughter is very into Yoga and she tells me all the time that it would be good for me. I know it would, but it's hard to sign up for classes with my work hours. Actually, it's impossible. Our daughter started downloading online Yoga classes so she doesn't have to leave the house at night. Maybe that's an option for me in the future. I hope your mind has calmed down, Melanie!

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