Break Free From Living on Autopilot

0

A woman behind the steering wheel of a car. Are you always running through life? Are you feeling disconnected and disengaged from life? If you answered yes, to these questions, maybe it’s time to examine whether you are living your life on autopilot.

Living life on autopilot is a phenomenon where individuals go through their daily routines without much thought or conscious effort. They may feel like they are just going through the motions and not fully experiencing or enjoying their lives. Functioning in this way can result from avoidance, stress, burnout, or a lack of motivation and engagement.

Many people are not even aware that they are living on autopilot. The first step to breaking free from living on autopilot is recognizing it. You can obtain awareness by paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations and noticing patterns in your behavior and routines.

Once you notice the behaviors, you can start making minor changes to your routine. Changes can be as simple as taking a different route to work, trying a new hobby, or even adding a task to your to-do list. These little changes can help to alter things and give you a renewed sense of purpose and engagement.

Another way to break free from living on autopilot is to set clear and specific goals for yourself. These can be long-term or short-term goals, but they should be meaningful to you and something you are excited about working towards to meet your needs. Having a sense of purpose and working towards something can help you break free from the monotony of living on autopilot.

Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is essential to break autopilot mode. Daily exercise, a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and mindfulness activities can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Finally, it’s vital to make time for yourself. Sometimes when we live on autopilot, we don’t take enough time to relax and recharge. Make sure to schedule some time every day to do something you enjoy, whether it’s reading, listening to music, or spending time with loved ones.

Living on autopilot can be a complicated and overwhelming experience. Still, taking small steps and making conscious changes can make it possible to start breaking free and living life to the fullest.

Previous articleWe Are Still Learning to Dance
Next articleNational Thyroid Month: One Mom’s Story
monique
Monique Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker, certified school social worker, and certified health and wellness coach, specializes in evidence-based counseling practices. In addition to owning her own private clinical practice, Monique is employed as a high school social worker for over 20 years. Born and raised in Westchester County, she continues to reside with her two children and two dogs (one of which is a certified therapy dog who on occasion attends school with her). A cancer survivor, Monique was diagnosed at age 34 with breast cancer after giving birth to her second child. She understands intimately the need for a strong network and community to help during times of crisis. Monique is joining Westchester County Mom because she is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for mental health, especially for mothers and their children. She is committed to reducing the stigma attached to seeking help when needed and accessing resources to improve overall well-being. You can learn more about Monique, her practice, and desire to help others on her website, www.westchestertherapyservices.com. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook @gowestchestertherapyservices.