My perspective and story on maintaining a healthy mind in a "nobody cares" world.

It is surprising for me to write about this because I rarely share things concerning my personal life, but I feel compelled to share this because this world often overlooks this matter. I will acknowledge that I am not a certified doctor or mental health expert and share my story about a subject that I believe is often neglected, particularly in our personal lives. I believe that there is no point in this world where human beings will ever stop thinking, except when we go to sleep or choose not to engage the mind at all. Issues such as stress often arise due to excessive mind activity.

I have battled an addiction that, in my view, is not globally recognized as an addiction - an addiction to thinking. I will sum it up by calling it overthinking, but you can choose your favorite epithet! During my schooling days and in college, I struggled with overthinking, and at times, I couldn't even recognize it. I didn't know how to manage my thoughts, and I might have resorted to boozing if I hadn't learned how to control excessive mind activity and thoughts.

Eckhart Tolle, one of the most relevant spiritual teachers, in his masterpiece "Stillness Speaks," says, "When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world." After reading this, I realized that my thoughts were losing me in the world. I understood that I needed to connect with my innermost self to avoid losing myself in the world, and that's where my awakening began. By watching his videos on YouTube and reading about him, I learned the difference between me and my thoughts, what I do and what I am, and why I should focus on the present while working towards the future.

When we are stressed, we often turn to therapists or friends for help, but I have learned that talking about a problem does not solve it. While talking to a friend may provide temporary relief, it doesn't offer a long-term solution. For me, this long-term problem required daily and permanent solutions to prevent its recurrence. I started practicing various techniques after realizing my problem. I began reading books, and to date, I have read over 14 books and counting.

Reading is not just for intellectual growth but also for staying in the moment, maintaining focus, renewing the mind, and feeding the soul. Another practice I adopted was exercising daily, not just to stay fit but to maintain a healthy mental state. Exercising has become a part of my routine, and I am even considering practicing martial arts. Yoga, meditation, and prayer have also become essential practices for me, connecting me to my innermost self, changing my mindset, and enhancing my focus and attention.

Reducing social media scrolling was one of the most challenging practices for me because social media can be addictive. While it provides valuable information, it also contains a lot of irrelevant content that can be distracting and potentially harmful to the mind. I made a conscious effort to limit my social media use and engage in activities like playing, taking walks, or reading a book instead.

To be honest, understanding oneself is the most challenging aspect of life. It took me time to realize that I am an awareness disguised in human form, that my actions are a reflection of me but not me, and that there is a difference between who “Mukhwana” is and what “Mukhwana” does. Since I began taking these practices seriously, my life has changed significantly. In today's world, where mental wellbeing is often overlooked, it is crucial to prioritize maintaining a healthy mind. It requires daily practice, lifelong commitment, and self-awareness. While talking to a therapist can be beneficial, it is not sufficient. We are responsible for our mental well-being, and finding offline hobbies and sticking to them can greatly contribute to a healthy mind, I hope you find some! 

Special dedication to those that struggle with overthinking. 

With love, 

Mukhwana