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How I transformed from an awkward overthinker to a creatively prolific writer

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How I transformed from an awkward overthinker to a creatively prolific writer

Alex Mathers
May 24, 2023
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How I transformed from an awkward overthinker to a creatively prolific writer

www.untetheredmind.co
Art by my friend Tony AI who has wheels for feet.

2 min read.


I'm in a cafe in Krakow, Poland.

I’m in my usual spot as people shove enormous croissants into their mouth holes.

I'm reflecting on how lucky I am to get to write and be a bit goofy for a living.

It hasn't been without hard work and working on my mindset.

One of the things that continually held me back was overthinking.

The overthinking would lead to this low-level anxiety that stunted me further.

I'd continually grind my cogs as though running on the spot, paralysed by analysis.

I always had good reasons for why I wasn't suited for this.

I created resistance to writing about certain topics.

I blocked myself from leaning into my projects and hitting 'publish.'

Overthinking was spoiling my creative work, but it was also wrecking my confidence.

It made me awkward and self-conscious.

I lost out on so many opportunities.

It was when I found Eastern philosophies, Zen, Stoicism, and then ultimately 'Three Principles' teachings that I got a hold on my mind.

I internalised their ideas, and my humanity, peace, and energy returned.

I found my confidence.

It had never left, but it had been smothered.

I learned that mental wellness isn't about control.

It's not about techniques, either.

And it certainly isn't about memorising bloody 'frameworks.'

No one in the history of mankind has found a way to control their thoughts or think less.

No one has ever walked into a room and felt confident because they'd memorised how to behave according to a set of rules.

Instead, I learned the power that mere understanding had on my mind.

Everything changes when we understand how the mind spits out thoughts that we then experience as emotions.

We are not at the mercy of our thoughts.

We are free of thoughts, even if they are present.

It's like seeing a new route to the office that's ten times more pleasant.

Our brain just drops the old crummy route - it's no longer necessary to hold.

The mind works in a similar way.

We can shift perspective, and our experience of reality changes that fast.

It can't not - because our beliefs change too.

I'm not even joking.

You don't need to turn into some mystical wizard to get good at stress and emotional control.

You need to shift your understanding from fear to welcoming.

This is what modern-day mind warriors do.

I guide you through all the necessary steps to internalising this understanding fast in my Untethered Mind course, which is yours when you subscribe as a paying member here.

If you're struggling, and sabotaging your potential, don't go years like I did without opening yourself to a new way.

Until next time friend,

Alex


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Happy learning!


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How I transformed from an awkward overthinker to a creatively prolific writer

www.untetheredmind.co
16 Comments
Morton Hurt
Writes Morton’s Substack
May 24Liked by Alex Mathers

Determination and resilience that pretty well sums up my 77 years on this magnificent planet

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Christina Seitz
Writes Christina’s Substack
May 24Liked by Alex Mathers

Pushing past the perfection impulse is so empowering and freeing

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