The HKL Time Vol 1 # 5

The reason overthinking and in- trusive thoughts drain your ener- gy is because no one explained the language of the brain.

The brain doesn't understand what you like or don't like. It only understands what you en- gage with. So when you react to thoughts "I don't like these thoughts, they're so mean, they hurt me, why do they keep com- ing?" the brain doesn't register that you dislike them. It only sees that you're engaging. To the brain, it's like you're play- ing with those thoughts, so it assumes you enjoy them.

Paradoxically, trying to fix your emotions and thoughts tells your brain, "They like fixing this." In order to keep you doing what it thinks you enjoy, it gives you more intense emotions and thoughts.

You have to understand that you created your own thought algorithm, just like a social me- dia feed. Even if you don't like something like clown videos showing the brain that you're engaged with them. The brain then assumes you care about fixing these thoughts. Label- ing thoughts as "negative" still gives them meaning and atten- tion.

We don't want to stay on the battlefield of thoughts and emo- tions. We want to step off that field. So ask yourself, "What field am I playing on?"

Shift to the field of valued ac- tions, growing your life and focusing on what matters, mo- ment by moment. This means but you keep reacting to them, they will keep showing up.

being present in the Now. Med- itation is one of the best ways to stay in the present moment.

Social media algorithms don't care if you like something or not. They only track attention. The more attention you give, the more they show it. Your brain works in a similar way. It builds an automatic pattern of thoughts that can feel like it's attacking you. So when you wake up, intrusive thoughts are already there, and it feels out of your control. But don't blame your brain, it's doing its job based on what it has learned.

At first, it will feel challeng- ing. The brain will resist: "No, we like fixing thoughts here are some more thoughts." You have to be willing to say, "I can feel uncomfortable and still be able to move forward with what matters."

Staying present each moment, you show your brain that those patterns no longer matter. Af- ter some time the brain begins to change but this is a practice. You built this pattern overtime, and it gained momentum which won't disappear overnight.

Now your job is to change the algorithm.

You've learned that the brain's language is engagement. To change the output, you must change what you engage with. The signal you give your brain comes from your focus, what you spend time and energy on.

It's like social media again, if you start watching flower vid- eos, clown videos may still ap- pear. The system needs time to adjust. Or like a fire: even if you stop adding wood, it will keep burning for a while before it fades.

Instead of trying to fix or fight thoughts even trying to make them positive you're still So don't measure success

while you're still practicing. If thoughts are still coming, it doesn't mean failure. But if you keep checking for them "Are they still there?" you're still en- gaging. That checking becomes a habit, and the brain reads it as interest.

The brain doesn't know any bet- ter it only knows you're paying attention.

That's why change requires dis- comfort. The brain tries to pull you away from discomfort by pushing you to "fix" thoughts for relief. This is similar to ad- diction. When someone is ad- dicted, withdrawal creates dis- comfort, pushing them to seek relief.

In your case, it's a thought habit. And like any habit, change hap- pens when you allow the dis- comfort without reacting to it.

You have to understand that what you're dealing with is like an addiction to thinking pat- terns. Overthinking and intru- sive thoughts can hold you back from living freely.

Imagine what life could feel like without constantly being stuck in your head.

Things began to change when I realized that staying in the pres- ent gave me more freedom than being tied to my thoughts.

Small changes matter. Your habits, actions, and focus shape who you become. We don't al- ways notice this when life feels easy, but during challenges, our thoughts can either bring us down or lift us up.

So be kind to yourself, and build strength. There is more to life than living in your head.