Feeding My Mind
“The Unfed Mind Devours Itself”
I read this quote not long ago and it really got me thinking.
Have you ever met someone either in real life, perhaps at work, or maybe a random friend on your Facebook, who just seems to have nothing better to do than complain about surface-level issues?
You know the type. The ones that seem to always have some petty drama or posts controversial things and then wonders why “everyone hates them.” The ones who can’t engage in a meaningful discussion about anything and instead take everything they believe to be true at face value.
“The unfed mind devours itself” is attributed to Gore Vital, an American author known for writing about social and sexual norms.
An unfed mind essentially craves information, often leading to destructive behavior and negative thoughts.
When I find my own mind spiraling down negative hallways and chaotically giving me scenarios that are just not true, I remind myself to feed my brain. Feed it with some care, some gratitude, something useful.
And as someone with OCD which means I often have obsessive thoughts, figuring out how to feed my brain information that isn’t destruction sometimes puts me into mentally overwhelmed overdrive.
Considering the constant news cycles and tense waters surrounding our current political climate, I’m seeking a reset.
So, here’s my little brain diet I came up with to combat the natural instincts to devour my mind:
Allow yourself sometime soon to learn something new. Recently, I learned how to decorate cookies using royal icing and found it relaxing. It was also an easy night with a friend.
See a friend in person on a work night. Sometimes we get so sucked in our 8-5s that we are just simply surviving the week, spending our remaining evenings vegging out in front of a TV or phone. I say change it up, go eat dinner. You deserve it.
Attempt to make one recipe from your Pinterest board that has followed every aesthetic change since high school. I found that even though some nights I just hatecooking, cooking is always rewarding. Even if it doesn’t turn out how you pictured.
Watch a music video. This is silly, but sometimes seeing your favorite artist perform your favorite song in their own artful way really wakes up the creative side in your brain.
Allow yourself time to digest. This especially applies to reading news headlines. Not all headlines are as they seem.
Feed your mind, feed your soul.