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"Simplify Your Thinking" is a guided mindfulness meditation designed to calm mental chatter and reduce overthinking. It begins by anchoring the attention on the breath, using it as a tool for single-pointed focus. This initial stage helps settle the mind and draw awareness away from distractions. As attention stabilizes, the practice shifts into a state of open awareness, inviting the listener to notice thoughts as they arise naturally.

When a thought is noticed, instead of pushing it away or analyzing it, the meditator is guided to identify the actual words in the thought. Then, they are encouraged to distill that thought down to just three simple words. This act of simplification helps reduce the emotional charge and cognitive weight of the thought, making it easier to observe without getting pulled in. By doing this, the meditator cultivates a sense of distance and clarity, allowing thoughts to pass through the mind with less attachment.

This technique is especially helpful for those who struggle with racing thoughts, anxiety, or difficulty falling asleep. By combining breath awareness with cognitive simplification, the meditation soothes the nervous system and creates mental spaciousness. Over time, it can train the mind to respond to thoughts with more equanimity, leading to a greater sense of calm and presence.

Meditaiton led by Sarah Vallely. https://www.sarahvallely.com/

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In this episode, Sarah is joined by licensed therapist Mike Comparetto to explore the concept of avoidance—specifically, experiential avoidance, which refers to the tendency to avoid unpleasant thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Together, they delve into how we often dodge discomfort by overworking, overthinking, or turning to substances and distractions like social media. While these strategies may offer short-term relief, research shows that chronic avoidance is linked to serious long-term consequences, including anxiety, depression, and even physical health issues like cardiovascular disease and cancer. Mike shares how leaning into discomfort, rather than resisting it, is not only more effective in the long run but also a key step toward reducing anxiety and building emotional resilience.

Mike Comparetto's website: https://striveon.me/

How experientially avoidant are you? Take the Quiz: https://novopsych.com/assessments/formulation/brief-experiential-avoidance-questionnaire-beaq/

Download the tool to identify your emotions: https://www.tsdmind.org/_files/ugd/8bdf26_e098853c2ccd431eab2923afa955ee10.pdf

The Aware Mind's host, Sarah Vallely has been teaching meditation for over 20 years and is a private coach, helping clients heal from a narcissistic parent, abusive partner, trauma from growing up with ADHD, intrusive thoughts and overwhelming anxiety.

Important links:
Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: https://www.sarahvallely.com
TSD Mindfulness Coach Certification https://www.tsdmind.org

This episode is a meditation for beginner mindfulness meditators and anyone interested in learning supports for a variety of mental health challenges, including overthinking, trauma, intrusive thoughts and self-worth. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.

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In this episode of The Aware Mind, Sarah explores what real vulnerability looks like in relationships—like admitting we’re scared, in pain, or unsure of ourselves. Most of us didn’t grow up in environments that encouraged emotional openness, so we developed protective behaviors to keep ourselves safe. But as adults, those same behaviors can block the deep connection we truly crave. Sarah unpacks why being vulnerable can feel so risky—especially when we fear rejection, invalidation, or triggering someone’s anger. She also dives into how attachment styles shape our relationship with vulnerability, and offers insight into how both anxious and avoidant types tend to protect themselves by avoiding emotional exposure.

How Vulnerable are you? Take the Quiz: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/relationships/vulnerability-test

Download the tool to identify non-vulnerability behaviors: https://www.tsdmind.org/_files/ugd/8bdf26_1911ee87b5c140d6b298369fa09f1694.pdf

Become a The Aware Mind subscriber. $6 a month will give you access to exclusive content, including guided meditations for better sleep, enhanced focus and much needed emotional healing. Link to Subscribe Today

The Aware Mind's host, Sarah Vallely has been teaching meditation for over 20 years and is a private coach, helping clients heal from a narcissistic parent, abusive partner, trauma from growing up with ADHD, intrusive thoughts and overwhelming anxiety.

Important links:
Sarah's Mindfulness Coaching website: https://www.sarahvallely.com
TSD Mindfulness Coach Certification https://www.tsdmind.org

This episode is a meditation for beginner mindfulness meditators and anyone interested in learning supports for a variety of mental health challenges, including overthinking, trauma, intrusive thoughts and self-worth. The Aware Mind produces content that supports stress reduction, anxiety relief, better concentration and focus, and trauma healing.

The Aware Mind's host, Sarah Vallely has been teaching meditation for over 20 years and is a private coach, helping clients heal from a narcissistic parent, abusive partner, trauma from growing up with ADHD, intrusive thoughts and overwhelming anxiety.

Support the show