Living rent free in your mind

I once had a colleague who disliked me—not because of anything I did, but because she didn’t like my boss.

I didn’t even realise it for an entire year until other colleagues clued me in.

She had been badmouthing me behind my back, interpreting everything I said as some kind of attack.

Apparently, there were times I made her livid.

The kicker? In her mind, she thought I disliked her equally.

She convinced herself that I was out to get her and viewed every interaction through that lens.

Meanwhile, I barely thought about her at all—I saw her as an acquaintance and had no strong feelings either way.

Not long after, she moved to another department, and I never had to deal with it again.

But the whole situation made me incredibly sad for her: her life must have been miserable because of a story she built in her head.

And I refuse to do that to myself.

I won’t let anyone sit in my mind rent-free.

If someone wrongs me, I’ll make a quick decision—either to address it or to move on—but I won’t dwell in imaginary battles.

There’s too much real life to live to waste time fighting wars that only exist in my own head.

Today’s Prompts

1 - Have you ever misjudged someone’s intentions, only to realise you were wrong later?

2 - Who is currently sitting in your mind rent-free? Why? How can you let go?

3 - How much mental energy do you spend thinking about people who don’t think about you?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

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