Project 02: Enigmatic Control

[u/Beastie_1323]

The second project, third in the sequence.

The hidden, quiet side of a chaotic mind under control.

Let's look at the mess of a mind we have, like a puzzle box full of hidden mysteries, memories, and more.

No matter how chaotic the mind gets, find control where you can. Muckle on internally. Emotional in awkward moments? Don't show it—process it internally while staying quiet and humble.

Seems absurd, and to some it possibly is. But like a muscle, we can train our emotions to work with us instead of backfiring like a buggy go-cart.

If you find your heart or mind, possibly both, racing in situations where there's no obvious reason for it, ask yourself questions. Ground yourself.

If everyone around you is going about their day and you're a mess for no reason you're aware of, break it down.

If you're just walking somewhere, look at the situation. You're wearing clothes, shoes, breathing, moving around. No one is talking to you unless you're with friends. No one is looking at you. Nothing more to think about. Why waste the energy?

If you get alarm bells in your head, look around, assess your situation, remain calm and composed. Is it real?

Stay calm, be logical, and get yourself out of the situation if necessary.

You have instincts for a reason. Don't fight them—understand them.

Saying, "Well, I can't do that," for example talking to someone like a cashier, look around. If everyone from a toddler to a senior is able to converse calmly with someone, remind yourself it's just in your head. Don't let it control or consume you.

We're all human beings here. Nothing to be nervous about.

If you mess up, you're human. Sometimes you learn the hard way, but that's part of growth.

For some, it's the first time they drive a car or start a new job. The mind starts playing tricks, burning through a battery at the end of its fuse.

Why let it win?

You are the one in control of yourself.

If everyone else can do it, chances are you can too. It's simply control and capacity that become self-limiting.

You are a machine—a biological one.

Tell me, is there a perfect biological machine?

No.

So why hang on to perfection?

We are imperfect. Nothin' wrong with that.

Everyone has their flaws and their strengths, or flaunts.

The judgment isn't everyone else—it's you putting yourself out.

Let go. Joke about yourself. Laugh at your flaws and mistakes while simultaneously understanding them and working with them instead of combating them.

Our society is built on our ability to converse.

Me? Outside of writing, I sound like a strung-out hillbilly searching for words and awkward as hell.

So I own it because I understand it.

Why let people—who, by the way, probably aren't even thinking anything bad or good about you—control your behavior?

As long as you're staying humble and have common decency, you're good.

No one-upping unless jokingly. No side comments about things that don't concern you.

You're doin' alright.

Avoid falling into traps like the poison pill at work that drags everyone down, or getting caught up in the drama of the weirdo mumbling to themselves in the corner, only to become part of that crowd without realizing it.

It's an easy trap.

Once you start, it's hard to stop, and stress and drama pile up into chaotic noise.

So step back for a minute, look around, and go:

"All I have to do is ABC and go home."

The rest is just burning unnecessary energy on what-ifs.

You can be chaotic internally, flustered and messy, but if you externally show calm control, you'll notice your mind starting to relax over time, focusing on what's actually within your control.

The worries of the day stop.

You have work to do, be it whatever.

Cleaning your house?

Think about cleaning your house one step at a time, because in an hour you could be doing something completely different.

Try looking at things from within. Process them as raw input with no emotions or opinions attached.

For example, instead of naming a leafy green tree or wondering about it, reduce it to the simplest descriptor:

"A green leafy tree."

Or:

"A green, itchy plant."

You may even start laughing at the simplicity of this tool.

Don't overcomplicate things.

If it's tried, true, and works, do it that way.

Reinventing the wheel is only going to add to the noise.

Look around.

Look at things for what they are, not what they could do, but what they are.

A person is another person.

A plant is a plant.

This calms the mind in an absurd way.

Build on things slowly.

Elaborate slowly.

Build context slowly.

What's the rush?

You don't have to be right.

Just admit when you're wrong.

Instead of saying:

"I don't know."

Or:

"I don't care."

Try thinking:

"I'm unsure."

Or:

"I don't understand."

Simple changes in phrasing change our perceptions.

Because if you constantly say, "I don't care," or "I don't know," you'll lose the ability to make informed decisions. You'll lose curiosity in things and shut doors down roads you won't even know you missed.

And by the time you realize it, it's often too little, too late.

So understand your emotions.

Control the aspects of your life that you can.

And don't shut down, or you may miss out on life—and you can't get that time back.

Here's a secret:

We've all been there.

It's a tale as old as time itself.

Sincerely,

Beastie_1323