"Yes, but I just don’t have time for this right now." Sounds familiar? Or maybe you’ve even said it to yourself?
That feeling of being stuck in a never-ending cycle, where each day feels like a repetition of the last, often leaves us drained. Joe Dispenza, a researcher of neurobiology and neuroplasticity, once said that we live 90% of our days the same way we lived the day before. Our grocery lists rarely change; most of us cook fewer than 20 different meals. We drive the same roads, often going on autopilot—our hands steering, our eyes seeing, our bodies reacting automatically. The same friends, the same conversations, the same routines.
When we stop learning new things and using the neural connections in our brains, we condemn them to decay. Neuroplasticity researchers like Michael Merzenich have shown that actively engaging and stimulating the brain leads to the formation of new neural pathways. Conversely, a passive lifestyle and repetitive routines reduce the efficiency of these connections. Studies also reveal that inactive brains are more prone to atrophy, which means we ourselves contribute to the decline of our brain health.
Now, let me tell you a story. A woman, recently divorced after a long and exhausting process, decided to try online dating two years later. Euphoric after engaging in promising chats, she prepared for her first date with great care, focusing on her appearance, buying new clothes, and building up her confidence. The date finally happened, but the man didn’t stay long and informed her that he wouldn’t meet her again. Upset, the woman immediately shared what happened with her closest friend. Her friend responded: "What did you expect? Look at yourself. You’re overweight, your teeth are terrible, and those clothes don’t suit you. You probably bored him with nonsense. How could he possibly like you?"
What would you think of such a friend? Do you have friends like that? Here’s the twist – the woman wasn’t speaking to a friend. She was speaking to herself.
If part of our day is spent on autopilot and another part is filled with self-destructive thoughts, where is the time for joy?
New neural connections form when the brain is given new, repeated information. This repetition is sometimes colloquially referred to as "brainwashing," but here it’s a positive process. Changing thoughts changes behavior, and changing behavior shapes your future.
So, how can we “wash” those thoughts? By introducing new activities, hobbies, or experiences. A simple way is to replace doomscrolling—obsessive, excessive scrolling through social media or news platforms—while commuting with listening to audiobooks.
Dr. Michael Merzenich studied how the brain adapts and changes through learning new skills or shifting thought patterns. Dr. Carol Dweck, author of the Mindset theory, explored how transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset affects neural activity and influences behavior. She found that belief in one’s abilities (e.g., "I can learn this") directly correlates with the formation of new neural pathways. Dr. Norman Doidge, in his book The Brain That Changes Itself, reviewed neuroplasticity breakthroughs and their application in daily life. He emphasized that forming new habits or changing thoughts stimulates neural growth and fosters new behaviors.
Science has already proven neuroplasticity. All it takes is:
New stimuli (e.g., audiobooks or regular books).
Repetition (e.g., sharing what you’ve learned with a friend to reinforce neural connections, turning a faint “trail” into a well-paved highway).
Emotional significance – how you value and process new information determines whether you accept it or resist it. This process must come with curiosity and readiness to embrace, not forced truths.
It’s so easy to overlook the Sisyphus stone in our daily lives. We wake up rested, ready to say, "One more push." As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect – how have we used this gift called time?
And just a reminder: the Earth spins at 1,670 kilometers per hour at the equator. The speed decreases closer to the poles, where the rotation slows almost to stillness. This parallels those at the epicenter—moving relentlessly fast—and those who calmly observe life’s melting ice caps.
To both groups, I offer this: remember the Sisyphus stone and find time to reflect on it.
This article belongs to the author Laura Panoviene. Republishing without the author's consent is prohibited.
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