A wandering mind is a common problem. Whether you are trying to meditate, or just find your mind wandering at work, in conversations, or in a social setting, there are things you can do to be aware of the constant stream of thoughts in your mind and not controlled by it.
The first thing to do when you find that your mind is wandering is to be aware of the thoughts passing through your mind. At first, don’t do anything to stop the thoughts, just let go and be watchful and observant about the thoughts. Often, just the act of bringing awareness to the thoughts is enough to lessen them.
The biggest problem with our thoughts is that we put too much stock in them and accept our thoughts as truth. Breaking the hold your thoughts have on your life, self-confidence and motivation in life begins with accepting that you are not your thoughts and your thoughts are nothing more than thoughts. When the value of your thoughts is lessened, you won’t keep getting stuck in the same patterns that are blocking your emotional and spiritual life.
As you are watching your thoughts, start to notice the patterns to your thoughts. What are the topics or subjects that are repeated? Often, patterns of thoughts tend to allow you to see what is keeping you from enjoying the moment. These negative thoughts are often worries about the future, reliving the past, or other mental noise.
The best remedy for a wandering mind is meditation. Although it can be challenging initially, your mind may wander and focus may be difficult. But if you stick with it, you will notice a shift and a gradual quieting of the mind, both during your meditation sessions and throughout your daily life. You can learn meditation on your own, but many people find that learning from a teacher to be very beneficial, at least in the beginning.