Changing the narrative
By: Anita Menon
Tags: Healthy Habits, Ego, Psychology

Changing the narrative

My day’s going bad or so I feel. It’s been so since the last two days where I feel my efforts, my will to do things have been affected. I am not entirely sure if the pandemic is to be blamed.

How can I process what I am feeling quickly so that I can get on with my life ?

I need to change the narrative in my head. It’s the kind of subtle manipulation that media would do to buy the favour of the general public toward a cause that’s important to them or to their sponsor. Here in this analogy, the general public is my subconscious mind and media is my conscious mind.

I hate being gloomy. I mean who loves being gloomy? Well, when I think of it, I can totally come up with a few names who love to dwell on misery. Well, but that’s not what this essay is about. This essay is about — how can I feel better by changing the narrative in my head.

I don’t want to resort to over — positivity because that kind of stuff is actually toxic. Neither do I want to distract myself with a Netflix binge or eating indiscriminate amount food. Though that’s what I have been doing all these days and I know it makes me feel terrible.

Changing the narrative in my head has to be done in a way where I encounter the least amount of resistance from my subconscious. The start point to this process would be acknowledge, “Yes, I am feeling shitty!”

“Do I blame someone or something for the way I am feeling?”

It was an astounding yes when I started the process. My family, my extended family, my extended family’s cousins and their friends are to blame for how I am feeling.

But now I know, I am the source of the feelings for things and situations beyond my control and my expectations not being met.

Well, that’s much better. I feel slightly better already.

Acknowledging is the first and the most powerful step.

Does the universe or the beings in this universe owe me anything?

No. They don’t. ( I merely mumble this part under my breath)

Why because my ego wants me to believe that I am super special and that the universe owes me everything. I feel entitled and that’s nothing but bad attitude.

Accepting that what I get and I don’t get is part of a process. A zero sum game.

The ego justifies everything because it wants me to survive and thrive. But it is also the reason why I am feeling shitty and unproductive.

So step 1 ( Acknowledge) & step 2 ( Accept) have been established.

How do I feel now?

I feel better but there’s still some nagging insecurity. How do I pacify that?

Well I don’t have to. Residual insecurity is an important part of getting back out there.

This insecurity will be gone the moment I have a small win. It’s easily conquerable. What’s important is not to allow this tiny voice of insecurity to get louder.

Step 3. Move on

Move on from point A of despair to point B of less despair. It is possible that to get to a point of action and hope, it may take a few days but this changed narrative needs to hold its ground.

“I am fine. What’s important to me is with me. I am capable and skilled. I can definitely get back out there to do my thing.”

Step by step, change the narrative in your head. It’s a cloud that needs to float away in due time. It can’t permanently make a home in your head.

Most important and final step in the process :

Step 4: breathe or meditate.

Clears the mind’s debris and the mind’s eye can see things clearly.

As I write this, I am actively changing my mind’s narrative and I believe it’s working!