Talk it out: making space for inner direction
Do you ever have a thought or challenge that has you feeling stuck? Sometimes our feelings and “aha” moments are lodged in our minds–and the answer is to let them out. But how do we do that?
In the new Calm series The Spark, author Chris Baréz-Brown says that simply walking and talking can help us gain valuable insight.
“We have everything we need to be amazing right now,” says Chris. “And actually, there’s nothing that needs fixing. We just need to hold the space so that we can work on what’s going on for ourselves.”
It’s all about connecting the two parts of our brain: the conscious and subconscious.
Our conscious brain is the dedicated worker bee in our head, says Chris. “It’s great for logic, for rationality, but it’s a very small part of our processing.” To tap into our creativity and problem-solving power, it’s important to access the subconscious.
“If you want to have better ideas, if you want to be more expansive and make better connections, you’ve got to learn to use both bits of your brain,” Chris recommends. Connecting those two via a process called Talk It Out is one way to open up possibilities.
Chris says that getting outside is the first step. Go for a walk, either with a friend or by yourself. “Talk about whatever it is that you want to think about,” he says.
The key is to keep talking–and walking–for about ten minutes. You can either record yourself using your smartphone, or have a friend listen intently without interrupting. If you do decide to record yourself, pay attention to what you say and how you feel as you work through your story.
“After a while, we naturally run out of a conscious story. If you just keep talking, this other stuff will bubble up from your subconscious in a way that will give you different insight and different clarity,” advises Chris.
The key is to look for those golden moments of wisdom, and listen for energetic shifts. Did you get excited or happy talking about one thing? As Chris notes, “there might only be two, three or four of these moments.”
He also points out that many people who have tried Talk It Out feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. Chris sees it as a way to add to our daily or weekly routine of mental well-being.
So the next time you’re out for a walk, bring a friend to listen, or just your smartphone. When you talk it out, there is so much to discover of yourself that lies beneath the surface.
Tune in to The Spark on Calm for more inspiration.
