How to trick your brain Into not freaking out
Did you ever have one of those days where you wake up, and before you’ve even had a chance to drink your coffee, the universe has already decided today is the day we test your patience? Maybe the cat has thrown up on the floor you just cleaned, the kids are running around like caffeinated squirrels, and somewhere in the chaos, you realize you forgot to reply to that important email… three days ago.
Suddenly, your brain goes: That’s it. We’re doomed. We can never recover from this. We might as well move to a remote village and start over.
But here’s the thing, your brain is a professional overreactor. It takes minor inconveniences and turns them into full-blown existential crises. Because your brain is wired to survive and find solutions. Spilled coffee? This is why you’ll never have your life together. Forgot something at the grocery store? You are the absolute worst at adulting. The dog barked at nothing for five minutes straight? He probably knows something you don’t. Start panicking.
I used to fall for this every time. But then I realized something: your brain is like a toddler who found a megaphone. Loud, dramatic, and convinced that everything is an emergency.
Welcome to the Chaos Olympics
If you’ve ever stepped into my household, you know that peace is a myth. Between running a business, coaching, writing, and keeping tiny humans (and animals) alive, there is always something happening. And yet, somehow, I still expect my brain to function like I live in a zen monastery. I can tell you: it does not.
The other day, I was deep in a writing flow, rare, precious, magical, when suddenly… BANG. The sound of an entire civilization collapsing. Or, more accurately, a child who “definitely didn’t mean to” knock over an entire shelf of whatever was not supposed to be touched. Yes they still are ar that age.
My brains first reaction? This is it. This is the moment you finally lose your last shred of sanity.
But then I paused. Because here’s what I’ve learned: you can trick your brain into not freaking out.
How to Gaslight Your Brain Into Chilling Out
It’s simple. Every time your brain tries to convince you that the world is ending, you respond with: Nah, we’re fine.
For example:
The kitchen is a disaster, the dog just ate something mysterious, and there’s an email demanding your immediate attention. Cool. None of these are life-threatening. Deep breath. Move on.
You just said something dumb in a conversation, and now your brain is replaying it on a loop. Oh well. That person probably forgot about it 0.3 seconds after it happened.
Your to-do list is longer than a CVS receipt, and you don’t even know where to start. Doesn’t matter. Pick something. Do it badly if you have to. Progress is progress.
Your brain will fight you at first. It loves to panic. It will try to convince you that if you don’t freak out, you’re being irresponsible. Don’t fall for it.
Because here’s the truth: most of the time, nothing is actually as bad as your brain makes it out to be. And if it is that bad? Well, freaking out isn’t going to fix it anyway. Might as well approach the chaos with a little humor.
So next time life throws a mess at you (which it will, because that’s what life does), just take a breath and remind yourself: we are not going to let the toddler-with-a-megaphone run the show today.
And if that doesn’t work? I will always recommend coffee
