What are you letting into that Mind of yours?

So this week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme is nature.

Personally, I am not big on the outdoors, I prefer to stay home, under the covers and that really makes me happy.

However, the few times (especially during lockdown) that I managed to get out of the house and embrace the beautiful wind on my face, I remember always saying, “I need to do this more often”.

I always came home feeling reinvigorated and refreshed. Alone with my thoughts, I always felt my mind was clearer and all negative feelings shift. Nature certainly has a beautiful way of nurturing us.

Reflecting on that this week, It occurred to me that our immediate surrounding plays such a huge role in nurturing our minds. During the process of reflection, I asked myself these questions; Who and what are you letting into your personal space?

How are you dealing with the emotions that you keep putting off because your immediate surrounding doesn’t allow you unpick, process and deal with these emotions?

Personally, in the last few years, I have become very guarded about who and what I let into my personal space. The process of decluttering the mind requires a higher level of mindfulness and intentional living but it is something we should all strive for.

The mind is such a powerful thing and will take in every and anything we allow in. And just like trying to lose physical weight, it is a lot harder to push out those thoughts we have let in and have fostered in our minds.

Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health. I am learning to accept what I can’t change and be kind to myself when I don’t meet my desired goals and targets.

The goal post can certainly move a little further to accommodate my current reality. That reality is sometimes is I need to declutter my mind because there is too much going on.

Clutter isn’t just the things we see physically around us, the mess on the floor, the pile of laundry, or dishes. Clutter can certainly be in the mind, and until we learn to deal with it, it is nearly impossible to make plans for the future. “You cannot reach for anything new if your hands are full of yesterday’s junk”.. Louise Smith.

The role our environment plays in nurturing our minds cannot be overstated.

One of my favorite go-to verses in the bible is Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Meditate on the things that bring you joy in life and remove the things that bring chaos.

From my little experience of life, it can sometimes feel hard to escape from the current state of mind that feels busy but we owe it to ourselves to nourish our minds regularly with good thoughts and peace. Let us all find our outlets and what works, the important thing is that you are working on yourself.

‭‭This week I got two very dear people to share how nature nurtures them and below is the beautifully written piece first by Amaka of the amazing Mindofmakus podcast.

“Maintaining emotional wellness in nature.
I enjoy nature, especially being among trees and reveling in the solitude and peace they bring. However I don’t have the opportunity all the time, so I created a similar feeling by growing a kitchen garden. Getting my hands in the dirt, planting, tending to and harvesting gives me great joy.

Watching things respond to care, knowing that sometimes it’s out of your control if they grow on not. Seeing how many factors come together to create magic from seed to plate.

If you don’t have space, use a deep bowl or planter and start growing something. It’s so easy especially as most stores sell already grown plants you can nurture to harvest.

These are some of the things that balance out my mental health in a world that doesn’t always prioritize mental health.” MindofMakus

And this beautifully written poem from Gina who also has a podcast on Mental well-being and wellness called the life of the mind podcast.

“Oh nature
What beauty and healing you bring
To the mind that is lost and low
At the sight of the colorful flowers
The humming of the birds,
The blossom of spring and
The wings of a butterfly
The mind unwinds knowing it can find peace in the midst of the storm
The swift movement and forming of the clouds,
So refreshing and calming
It tells the mind to relax and gently unwind
When the day is tiring
And the mind firing
Remember to quickly look up to the sky
Gaze at the clouds and
Listen to the birds humm
so the mind can rest. Georgina A

What do you do to look after your mind? Would love to read your tips and experiences in the comments below.