Your Stories
Learn About Your Mind, Change Your Life
Discover the hidden patterns of your thoughts, emotions, and actions with cutting-edge neuroscience
Understanding Your Thoughts: The Stories Your Mind Tells
Your thoughts aren't just random noise—they're the mental movies playing in your head all day long. Learning to name and recognize them is like becoming the director of your own mind.
Why Your Thoughts Matter More Than You Think
0
thoughts per day
That's 35 thoughts per minute!
0%
are repeat thoughts
Your brain loves reruns
The Neural Highway Effect
Thoughts create neural pathways—the more you think something, the stronger that mental highway becomes
Neuroscience Fact
Your brain is constantly rewiring itself based on your thoughts. This is called neuroplasticity!
The 6 Types of Thoughts That Run Your Life
Future Thoughts
What It Sounds Like: "What if...", "I bet...", "This will..."
Brain Pattern: Activates prefrontal cortex
Impact on You: Can create excitement OR anxiety
Memory Thoughts
What It Sounds Like: "Remember when...", "I should have...", "Last time..."
Brain Pattern: Engages hippocampus
Impact on You: Can bring wisdom OR regret
Judgment Thoughts
What It Sounds Like: "I'm so...", "They're too...", "This is bad/good"
Brain Pattern: Lights up amygdala
Impact on You: Creates emotional charge
Problem-Solving Thoughts
What It Sounds Like: "How can I...", "Maybe if I...", "The solution is..."
Brain Pattern: Activates executive function
Impact on You: Moves you forward
Imagination Thoughts
What It Sounds Like: "Wouldn't it be cool if...", "I wonder...", "Imagine..."
Brain Pattern: Engages default mode network
Impact on You: Opens new pathways
Observational Thoughts
What It Sounds Like: "I notice...", "Right now...", "I'm aware that..."
Brain Pattern: Calms prefrontal cortex
Impact on You: Grounds you in reality
The Secret: Your Thoughts Are Like a Radio Station
Here's what neuroscience tells us: You can't turn off the radio, but you CAN change the station.
- Rumination = Playing the worry station on repeat
- Mindfulness = Switching to the present moment station
- Reframing = Finding a better station to tune into
Understanding Your Actions: The Bridge Between Mind and World
Actions are where everything becomes real. They're the only way your inner world affects the outer world.
The Action Chain: How Your Brain Makes Things Happen
Intention
Forms in prefrontal cortex (0.2 seconds)
Motor Planning
Activates (0.5 seconds)
Action Initiation
Fires up motor cortex
Feedback Loops
Adjust in real-time
The 7 Action Patterns That Shape Your Life
➡️ Approach Actions
Examples: Starting conversations, trying new things, reaching out
Brain Driver: Dopamine-driven reward seeking
Life Impact: Creates growth & connection
⬅️ Avoidance Actions
Examples: Procrastinating, canceling plans, staying quiet
Brain Driver: Amygdala fear response
Life Impact: Maintains safety but limits growth
🔄 Automatic Actions
Examples: Checking phone, biting nails, morning routine
Brain Driver: Basal ganglia habit loops
Life Impact: Can be efficient or limiting
🎯 Intentional Actions
Examples: Starting exercise, having difficult conversations
Brain Driver: Prefrontal cortex override
Life Impact: Creates meaningful change
⚡ Reactive Actions
Examples: Snapping at someone, impulse buying, stress eating
Brain Driver: Limbic system hijack
Life Impact: Often creates regret
🤝 Prosocial Actions
Examples: Helping, sharing, comforting, volunteering
Brain Driver: Oxytocin & mirror neurons
Life Impact: Builds relationships & meaning
💚 Self-Care Actions
Examples: Resting, exercising, saying no, seeking help
Brain Driver: Vagus nerve activation
Life Impact: Restores energy & resilience
The Magic Formula: Small Actions → Big Changes
Research shows that tiny actions repeated create massive transformations:
- 2-minute actions bypass resistance
- Daily actions build neural highways
- Aligned actions (matching your values) feel easier
The F.E.T.A. Loop: How Everything Connects
Here's the fascinating part—your Feelings, Emotions, Thoughts, and Actions create a continuous loop:
The Science of Change
Feeling anxious → Thought "I can't do this" → Action: Avoid → Emotion: Relief → Feeling: More anxious next time
But you can interrupt the loop at ANY point:
- Change the thought: "I can't do this" → "I'm learning to do this"
- Change the action: Avoid → Take one tiny step forward
- Change the feeling: Use breathing to calm your body
- Change the emotion: Reframe fear as excitement
Why This Matters for Your Mental Health
1
Awareness = Power
When you can name it, you can change it
2
Small shifts = Big results
1% changes compound over time
3
You're not broken
Your brain is doing exactly what brains do
4
Change is always possible
Neuroplasticity means your brain can rewire at any age
✅ Your Onboarding Challenge
For the next 24 hours, become a scientist of yourself:
- Notice one thought pattern that shows up repeatedly
- Name the emotion that usually follows
- Track what action you typically take
- Try one small different action and see what happens
Remember: You don't need to change everything. Just becoming aware of these patterns is already changing your brain. That's the power of neuroplasticity—and that's why this single session can spark real transformation.
Ready to dive deeper?
Let's explore which specific pattern you'd like to work on first. What's one thought, feeling, or action that's been on your mind lately?