Walking Through The Mist! How do you train your mind to see beyond the mist?

Walking through the mist is something I personally enjoy. Especially when out training in the countryside and walking distances, for over 50km, pulling a tyre, and for many hours.

At present I’m training to walk unsupported, 1,000 miles across parts of the Yukon and Alaska. Across frozen rivers, lakes, through forests and ice roads. I’ll even be walking for approximately 15 hours a day and often through the dark. I’ll be walking through the countryside where bears will be hibernating (hopefully) and with wolves that at times can be curious and inquisitive! There could even be what we call “Whiteouts” where the snow and weather is so dense, you can’t see very far (that’s a bit like not knowing your journey of life). You have to trust your navigation skills and have a strong robust mindset on an unconscious level.

Any glitch within your mindset, to work with the environment, could expose you to unwanted stress, anxiety and lead to mistakes with potentially catastrophic results/outcomes. This is where training your mind becomes your number one priority.

So yes, I need to be physically fit, I think it’s fair to say, it’s a must if I want to enjoy the journey. But if my mind isn’t trained to work with the variables and keep navigating me on my journey, then there is a risk that bad things could happen! 

That said, not everyone wants to go out and walk within the wilderness where bears may be lingering! But your life journey is also an expedition. You may or may-not have a plan, vision, goal, aspiration etc, but it’s fair to say, no-one really has a crystal ball at hand that can tell them what will happen exactly throughout their future years. If you don’t have control over your mind, guess what? Your “Bear” will take control of you!

Some say “Can’t see the wood for the Trees”.

The challenge a person has is that they may feel overwhelmed, as if they are climbing out of a big hole. Not only have they got to pull themselves out of the hole, they’re struggling to see their future and what good looks like.

People say to keep focusing on what good looks like, think positive thoughts, do incantations and much more, even to the point of others expressing how they have achieved a perceived level of mental success. Yet, One size doesn’t fit all! People have different thought processes and patterns.

We at Walking With My Bear, feel it is very important to understand the programming of the mind before you begin trying to clear the mist.

I’d like to share an example of a structured approach to understanding why your mind feels like it cannot see what good looks like, or the true potential of what you can really achieve. It’s designed to give you a starting point where you can adapt it to your own self.

Step 1

• You may have a million and one things going on in your mind right now. This can cause mist in the mind whether it be consciously, or even on a deep unconscious level. Write down all the things on your mind. This will help you to release some of the mist. It’s about your ability to free your mind of the overwhelming thoughts clouding your vision.

Step 2

• Prioritise what is essential and must be done straight away from the list you have just created. Once you have prioritized your list, leave for 5-10 minutes. Go for a walk or go make a cuppa, etc, then go back to it and reflect to see if the order of priority is right. If not, adjust and reflect again.

Step 3

• Create a timeframe of when things need to be done by. Draw a line from one side of the paper to the other. Then write the things that need to be done in order and then put times and dates on them.

Step 4

• Complete the exercise in the previous blog – “Can we Control the Controllables”. Once you have completed the task, you will then be able to see what you can focus on.

Step 5

• Now write or draw your vision of the desired outcome you would like to see for yourself; having achieved the things you desire.

Step 6

• Write a plan. If you’re struggling to create a plan, reach out for help. Maybe consider getting in touch with Walking With My Bear. You never know, we may be able to help you.

Step 7

• Reflect to see if you need help or support. If you do require help or support, reach out. Either communicate with someone you trust who is qualified and experienced, or by all means, reach out to Walking With My Bear. We’d be very happy to support you

We hope this simple exercise helps you on your journey and taking back control of your bear.

Warmest wishes

Walking With My Bear