Alright folks, lemme tell you about this thing I’ve been messing around with called “catch yourself on”. Sounds kinda weird, right? It’s basically about noticing when you’re about to screw up, or fall into a bad habit, and stopping yourself before you do.
It all started when I realized I was constantly saying “yes” to things I didn’t actually want to do. People would ask me for favors, or invite me to events, and I’d just automatically agree, even if I was already stressed or busy. I’d end up feeling resentful and exhausted. So, I decided to try and catch myself before I said “yes” impulsively.
First thing I did was just try to be more aware. Like, really pay attention to my gut reaction when someone asked me something. Did I feel a little twinge of dread? Did my shoulders tense up? Those were my warning signs.
Then, I gave myself a rule: no immediate answers. If someone asked me to do something, I’d say, “Let me think about it and get back to you.” That gave me some breathing room to actually consider whether I wanted to do it or not.
This is where the “catch yourself on” part really came in. I started visualizing scenarios, if you will. Like, I’d imagine someone asking me for a favor. And I’d picture myself saying “yes” immediately. Then I’d mentally rewind, catch myself, and practice saying “no” politely but firmly. Something like, “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m really swamped right now.”
It felt super awkward at first! I’m not gonna lie. Saying “no” felt like I was letting people down. But then I realized, I was letting myself down by constantly overcommitting. And honestly, most people were totally understanding. The world didn’t end!
I even started using a little mental trick. Before answering anything, I would take a deliberate pause, maybe count to three in my head. That little delay often gave my brain enough time to kick in and say, “Hold on, dude, are you sure about this?”.
So, what were the results? Well, I’m still a work in progress, but I’m definitely getting better at catching myself on. I say “yes” to fewer things, and the things I do say “yes” to, I actually want to do. I feel less stressed, less resentful, and more in control of my own time.
It’s not just about saying “no” either. It’s about recognizing any kind of habitual, knee-jerk reaction that isn’t serving me well. Maybe it’s snapping at my partner when I’m tired, or scrolling mindlessly through social media when I’m bored. The same principle applies: be aware, create a pause, and make a conscious choice to do something different.
Give it a try, folks. See if you can catch yourself on! It might surprise you how many little habits you have that you don’t even realize are holding you back.
Here are some bullet points that might help you
- Be Aware: Pay attention to your feelings and reactions.
- Create a Pause: Don’t answer immediately. Take a moment to think.
- Visualize: Practice saying “no” or choosing a different behavior in your mind.
- Mental Trick: Count to three or take a deep breath before responding.
