Whether we’re doing it intentionally or not, we’re feeding our minds constantly. Through what we see and hear, but through our other senses too, our minds will soak up the information around and in front of us. Most of the time, this happens through our digital devices.
The use of social media has exploded in the last decade, and many of us forget how invasive and pervasive it has become. From political interference to market sentiment bubbles, there are myriads of signs as to the destructive power of these platforms in influencing our views.
When we use social media to feed our minds, our subconscious decides which content to accept, trust, or believe. Our conscious mind then tries to justify our decision. Sadly, most people don’t give their subconscious mind the thought it needs to make a decision. This cognitive snare is a significant problem for society and individuals.
So… the best way to nourish your mind is to avoid negative input and use social media with more intentionality and greater awareness (not simply for mindless entertainment). We need to feed our minds with knowledge, not garbage.
Rather than passively accepting everything that comes our way, we should actively go through what we take in and prune out the harmful content to make room for the positive. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to start being intentional about how we are feeding our minds and create daily habits to engage with content that will expand and enrich our lives.
It’s never too late to start learning new habits. Start by engaging with platforms that help you learn a new skill (or searching for this content) and commit to learning one a week.
Maybe it’s about studying a new philosopher each week. Perhaps it’s baking a new dish or spending more time with people you love and respect.
You can begin by asking: What areas can I improve? How can I improve? What is my knowledge base lacking? Am I feeling dissatisfied in any area?
These questions help you define and follow your passions. Once you know what you would like to work on, you can take significant action.
To thrive in a growth mindset, we need to set goals and visualise the changes we want to see whilst taking daily action to achieve them. You might not have time to learn everything, but you should take the time to improve where you can. This is how we healthily feed our minds.
When you invest in yourself, you’re making a positive impact on your own life and the lives of others. You’re sending a strong message to those around you, and investing in yourself will lead to more joy, greater success and more satisfaction. And, what’s more, you’ll find that the money you spend on investing in yourself is always money well spent.