If you were driving down the street and a backseat passenger jumped forward and grabbed the wheel, would you let them? Of course not! You would wrestle them down, get control of the car, pull over, and figure out what the heck is going on!
However, when emotional distractions take over and threaten to ruin your whole day, month, or even year, we let them in and allow them to run EVERYTHING.
They divert your focus from your peace, your loved ones, and your goals and leave you crashing into a mental ditch.
Emotional Hijackers:
Anxiety
How it Hijacks: Anxiety grabs the wheel and swerves you into the future, running worst-case scenarios.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for keeping me prepared for anything, but I am only focusing on one small true thing I know that’s right now?”
Overwhelm
How it Hijacks: Overwhelm grabs the wheel and makes everything feel like it has to happen at the same time.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for trying to keep me from dropping the ball, but what is the smallest step I can take first?”
Anger
How it Hijacks: Anger grabs the wheel, detours you from your destination, and heads directly towards the person you’re upset with.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for trying to protect my boundaries. What can I do to respond, but not crash out and give this situation my whole day?”
Sadness
How it Hijacks: Sadness grabs the wheel and turns a basic ride into a long, grueling drive.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for letting me know I need care. What is one small comfort I can give myself right now: rest, connection, or a good cry.”
Guilt
How it Hijacks: Guilt grabs the wheel and forces you to look in the rearview mirror(the past).
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for reminding me that I care. What is the simplest repair I can make to the situation, or what lesson am I taking with me?”
Fear
How it Hijacks: Fear grabs the wheel and makes you hesitate and overthink until you miss your turn.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for trying to keep me safe. What is the next safe step I can take? (not the whole staircase).”
Stress
How it Hijacks: Stress takes the wheel and drives the car, as if everything is an emergency. (speeding around with the hazard lights on!) You carry your worries and other people’s problems until you feel the tightness in your body.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for trying to keep everything from falling apart, but I am going to pause long enough to ask myself what is truly urgent and what only feels urgent. What are the things that are not my problems to solve? Then I will take one next step that is actually for me.”
Restlessness
How it Hijacks: Restlessness grabs the wheel and keeps switching lanes.
Mindful Way to Take the Wheel Back: Tell your brain, “Thank you for the extra energy. I am going to aim it to a specific target instead of scattering it everywhere.”
Your emotions give you information. They are signals that something matters, needs care, attention, a boundary, or rest. The problem is not that the feeling showed up. The problem is when you allow the emotion to control your whole day.
You can acknowledge them, thank them for trying to protect you, and still choose your next move with a clear mind. Take care of yourself 🫶🏾.
