Hello, Monkey Brain, I’d Like You to Meet Inner Zen

Lately, my thoughts have been all over the place. You know the term monkey mind? It’s the perfect visual—thoughts swinging from one idea to the next like monkeys grabbing for branches. No pause, no time for reflection, just one chaotic scene after another, like a movie spliced with commercials advertising every little thing in life that needs attention.

I was very proud of myself this morning. I got up at 5:30 and thought, I have ZERO excuse not to meditate today—a habit I’m insanely inconsistent with lately, and I’m definitely feeling the repercussions of not sticking to it. So, I sat down to meditate, thinking I could rein in the chaos of it all. Ha! My brain had other plans. I caught a moment of peace, a small glimpse of silence, and then—bam—another thought barged in. Some were lovely, some were practical, and some were complete nonsense (like wondering what to eat for breakfast). It felt like my brain was hosting a town hall meeting I didn’t RSVP to.

 As a psychic medium and empath, I can’t help but analyze the why. A full moon this week? Check. Work deadlines? Yep. Unfinished creative projects? Absolutely. Add in the small stuff, like Trader Joe’s being out of my favorite coffee creamer (how rude! 😂), and you’ve got the perfect storm.

 But here’s the thing: most of it wasn’t urgent or even important. It was just noise—thoughts piling up like a basket of laundry waiting to be folded.

Right when I was about to give up on meditation altogether, my spirit guides chimed in with a solution: “Focus on sound, not thought. Just listen.”

At first, I’ll admit, I kind of rolled my eyes (because, of course, it sounds simple when they say it), but I decided to try—no quitters here! I hit shuffle on my playlist, picked some music, and let the sound wash over me. The shift was almost immediate. My thoughts didn’t disappear completely (I’m human, after all), but they softened. The music became an anchor, pulling me into the present moment.

But let me tell you, sometimes your music choices need something a little stronger than calming waves, flutes, and birds chirping in the background. And this should tell you where my current mental state is lately—I’m needing the extra shot of espresso kind of level of zen (I do love a good coffee reference). For me, this morning, it was AC/DC’s Back in Black. The beat, the lyrics—it works. Believe it or not, it brings me back to the present. Crazy, right?

Here’s the thing, It worked, not because I fought the thoughts, but because I gave them permission to fade into the background. Did it last for long? Uhhm, no. “laughing” But it worked. And even if it was just for five minutes, those five minutes were glorious.

So, where’s the lesson here? Is there one? Why, yes, there is—and that’s why it’s a blog post. Haha. This experience reminded me of something we often forget: the monkey mind isn’t here to torment us; it’s simply part of being alive. It’s our brain’s way of trying (and often failing) to process the millions of inputs we face every day. Instead of wrestling it into submission, sometimes the best thing we can do is shift our focus and let it settle on its own.

For me, sound became the bridge to stillness. For you, it might be the rhythm of your breath, the feel of a cozy blanket, or even the hum of the dishwasher. Stilling the mind doesn’t have to mean sitting in lotus position (and, if you’re like me, losing all feeling in your legs). It’s about whatever keeps you in the present moment. Finding that anchor—whatever it may be—can help you stop swinging from branch to branch and simply be.

Life is full of monkey mind moments, but they don’t have to control us. Instead of fighting the chaos, find your anchor—whether it’s sound, breath, or a good cup of coffee (preferably with creamer, if Trader Joe’s isn’t sold out). I can’t help myself.

If you’re like me and your brain feels like it’s hosting a thought parade, remember this: you don’t need to fix it. You just need to pause, listen, and trust that stillness will find you. And if all else fails, there’s always music. Sometimes, a little rock music helps. There’s something about the guitar riffs and drums that make your head bob and your shoulders move—bringing you right back to center. 😂😉🎸

Who's Driving? Lessons from a dream, symbols about transportation & choices

I’ve likely mentioned in past posts that I’ve always been a lucid and vivid dreamer. For years, I’ve journaled about dreams that have guided me in ways that I can hardly put into words. These dreams have come as messages from my spirit guides, my higher self, and visitations from loved ones. Last night, I had a dream that woke me up with an undeniable urge to write it all down and share.

This dream, like many before it, featured the usual suspects of symbols that often appear on my journey: cars, the ocean, mountains, and even the sensation of salt on my skin. As anyone who journals their dreams might notice, there are recurring symbols—much like in my mediumship readings—each layered with meaning. For me, modes of transportation—cars, buses, boats, planes—serve as metaphors for life’s journey. They hold clues to how I’m navigating life at the moment. Locations also carry significance: near water, I know it’s about my emotions; in the mountains, it’s often about the challenges I’m facing.

Last night, I dreamed of two cars, both filled with luggage—none of it mine—representing the emotional baggage of others. I wasn’t driving either car but found myself along for the ride. The message felt clear: others are on their own journeys, and I need to let go of carrying what isn’t mine.

That realization got my brain spinning. What actual worries or challenges in my waking life am I carrying that aren’t mine? To some people, this might seem like a lot of effort to metaphorically unpack a dream. But as I mentioned earlier, my dreams have always been incredibly insightful. If I’m remembering small details from each scenario, there’s a reason for it. It’s worth sharing, and maybe those reading this can relate or gain insight into their dreams as well.

Dream Interpretation 101: Here’s how I interpreted some of the symbols in my dream:

Cars: For me, cars have always represented life’s journey, so it’s important to pay attention to the details: Who’s driving—you or someone else? Are you arriving at a destination? Is the car working properly, or are you lost and struggling to get there? These questions often remind us to take back the wheel in life if we’re just passengers, or to acknowledge challenges when we’re feeling stuck.

Luggage: This is a recurring visual in both my dreams and my psychic sessions. My spirit guides often use luggage to represent worries—either our own or those of others. I often ask clients, “Are you carrying someone else’s worries like rocks in your backpack?” Last night’s dream blended past and present energy, making me question how much of what I was carrying truly belonged to me.

The Mountains: I couldn’t help but think of the book The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. For me, mountains symbolize challenges—those uphill climbs we often avoid or feel unprepared to face. They can feel isolating, just as I felt last night when trying to find my way home. But they also represent growth, resilience, and the strength to find solutions on your own.

The Ocean: Water often symbolizes our emotional state, and although the ocean appeared only briefly in my dream, it carried significant meaning. I was covered in salt that needed washing off—a sign of healing and cleansing. It felt like a reminder to release what doesn’t belong to me and embrace vulnerability—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This dream reminded me that life is full of choices. Sometimes, we’re along for the ride in someone else’s car, carrying their baggage, and wondering why we feel stuck. Other times, we’re standing at a crossroads, unsure of how to get home. In these moments, the dream seems to say: trust yourself. Let go of what doesn’t belong to you, take the wheel, and embrace your unique path.

There’s no right or wrong way to navigate life, but we do need to honor our own journey. It’s okay to part ways with people, habits, or situations that no longer align with where we’re headed. And when the road gets tough, know that every challenge holds the potential for growth and clarity.

So, if you find yourself waking up with a vivid dream, don’t brush it off. Write it down, reflect on its symbols, and see what messages it holds for you. The answers might just guide you home.

When Change disrupts your comfort zone

There’s one thing we’ll always find on our journey, no matter how much we try to avoid it, is change. Some changes we can control and manage, and others…not so much.

For example—I love rearranging the furniture in my living room or bedroom every now and then. There are really only two ways to move things around because of the space and scale of my furniture, but that tiny shift feels new. It’s energizing. It shifts my mindset.

Then there are the weekends when I decide to try a new hiking trail or take some photos at a spot I’ve never been to before. That little invitation to explore something different is so good for the soul, isn’t it?

But not all changes come wrapped in a bow of excitement. Sometimes, life throws in an unexpected curveball: an illness, a career hurdle, financial stress, family dynamics, relationships, etc... And suddenly, it’s not about rearranging furniture—it’s about rearranging your heart, your mind, and your ability to adapt.

For me, it’s so easy to get caught up in the imbalance of it all. I’ll admit, I’ve gotten better over the years—age does bring wisdom—but patience still isn’t exactly my strong suit. When life feels overwhelming, I often find myself wanting to fix things, to make sense of what feels messy.

But here’s the lesson I’ve learned—one I’m still learning: not every change is meant to be fixed or figured out. Some changes are about letting go. About hitting the pause button, taking a deep breath, and sitting with whatever is happening, even if it feels uncomfortable.

I feel like a broken record if I’ve mentioned this before, but if I’m being honest, it’s advice that often sits on my shoulder, whispering in my ear: letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means creating space for peace, even when life feels chaotic. It’s about trusting that every shift, even the hard ones, carries something valuable. Sometimes it’s a lesson in resilience; other times, it’s a reminder that we’re stronger than we think.

I’ve learned that change—whether it’s something as simple as moving a couch or as profound as facing the unknown—has the power to transform us. I once listened to a podcast where actor Matthew McConaughey shared an analogy about the colors of a stoplight. He explained that if life were all green lights, with no hardships, no challenges, no “change,” or introspection, then what would it all be for? We need the yellows and reds, too.

I might be veering off topic a bit, but his analogy feels so relevant to change. Those pauses and stops—those moments of uncertainty or struggle—are what help us evolve. It’s where growth happens. It’s where we learn to loosen our grip on the things we can’t control and start embracing what is.

So, here’s a gentle nudge for us: when change knocks, let’s answer with curiosity. Let’s ask ourselves, “What can this teach us? How can this moment serve our growth?” Even when it feels uncomfortable, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Every change, whether small or life-altering, is shaping us. It’s helping us align with our highest selves, one step at a time. And in those moments when it feels overwhelming, let’s remind ourselves that we’re not alone. My favorite go-to reminder? You’ve got this.