What consumes your mind controls your life.

Have you heard this saying? Or perhaps you’ve experienced it first hand.  

I was just recently in a situation where I had to play the waiting game. There’s nothing worse than just waiting for time to pass so you can arrive at the answers. This is where you really have to take control of your mind, over the matter. I didn’t always have victory in that, but here are a few things I did to avoid losing myself in the situation:

• Face it. Perhaps the reason why you allow it to consume your mind is because you think of all the “what if’s”. Catastrophizing. Unfortunately that’s where my mind usually goes. Instead, write down the worst that can happen realistically. You might see that “the worst”, is not as bad as you think. Then, write down the opposite. Give yourself options for each. Whichever way it goes - you will be ready with a game plan.

• Get a different perspective. Ask a safe (someone you feel completely safe from evaluation or judgement) friend or a family member if your thoughts about the situation are in reality or if you need to see the situation from a different angle. If you’re a verbal processor, this can be the best way to alter your mind.

• Switch up your workout routine. There is nothing more annoying than hitting the elliptical for the third time that week, rehashing the same problems. Go to the beach. Go to the nearby lake. Climb a mountain. Get out of your routine!

• Lose yourself in a TV show. Okay, I don’t mean wake up and binge, binge, binge. In fact, this isn’t the most healthy way of coping - it’s a temporary fix. But sometimes, you just need a little escape to another world: 30 minutes to an hour. Watch something you enjoy.

• Surround yourself with people that love and support you. You shouldn’t go through the situation alone. Make sure you surround yourself with people you know love you and want to see you succeed.  

It’s all about getting out of your own head and altering the angle in which you view your circumstances.

ZARA: Camouflaged Cropped Jacket. Nike: Air Max 97, men’s here and similar women’s style here.

Photography by: Zachary Wikholm