Sometimes life can be pretty hard and it feels like so much weight is lying on our shoulders. But really? Is life so hard? Is there so much weight lying on our shoulders? Or ist it just something we´re making up? We see and feel our entire life through our brain. Our emotions, memory, health, consciousness – all of it is filtered through this incredible, complex organ that shapes every experience we have. It’s the seat of our joy and our pain, our fears and our dreams, the stories we tell ourselves, and the truths we often try to hide. From the rush of love and excitement to the depths of anxiety and doubt, our brain is the master conductor, constantly interpreting, reacting, and guiding us through the chaos of everyday life.
Our perception of the world, our relationships with others, and even our sense of self—all these are crafted by our mind’s intricate web of neurons firing away, creating the narrative of who we are. It’s where every decision is made, every habit is formed, and every bit of our personal history is stored. It’s the reason why a song can take us back in time, why a scent can make us feel comforted, and why a fleeting thought can suddenly change our mood.
But it’s not just about emotions and memories. Our brain also holds the keys to our health, influencing how we heal, cope with stress, and navigate life’s challenges. It’s behind every heartbeat, every breath, and every move we make, constantly working in the background to keep us alive and functioning. It’s the root of our creativity, the spark behind our ideas, and the source of the questions we ask about our purpose and place in the universe.
The brain is where science meets the soul—where logic battles intuition, where our beliefs are born, and where our deepest fears live. It’s the battleground for mental health struggles and the birthplace of resilience. It’s messy, magical, and still so misunderstood, even by those of us who live within it every single day. And that’s what makes exploring it so endlessly fascinating.
Luckily, we can control all these things. We build our brains with what we nurture them with: the people we spend time with, the books we read, the things we do or don’t do, everything we eat and drink, and every little habit we engage in daily. There is an extensive amount of research on what benefits our brains, and some of the most important things you’ll come across are: get plenty of sleep—getting restful sleep is one of the most important things you can do for brain health. Build your social networks with healthy, loving, empowering relationships, take care of your mental health, get regular exercise, and eat a healthy diet. And avoid alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes; these things greatly impact our health and mental well-being.
The only time we do not have control over how we nurture our brains is when we are babies or children, under the care of our parents, who do what they believe is best for us. I think it’s kind of scary that the time when we build the base of who we are is not even in our control. But we don’t really have a choice—it’s simply what the universe has decided for us. So, yes, it’s scary, but it’s also kind of a relief. On one hand, we can decide many things, but on the other, everything is already kind of decided. I always say: do what you believe is right and follow your intuition. No one can tell you what’s right or wrong for you or how your universe should look.
Realistically, life can be more complicated than that. Here are 10 reasons:
- Subconscious Influences: Our early childhood experiences, many of which happen before we have conscious control, shape our beliefs, fears, and responses to the world. Trauma, unhealed wounds, or even subtle conditioning from our upbringing can affect how we react to situations as adults, often without us realizing it.
- Biological and Genetic Factors: Our genetics play a significant role in our mental and physical health. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders can be deeply rooted in our biology, making it more challenging to navigate life purely through willpower or intuition.
- Societal and Cultural Pressures: Society often dictates what is considered “right” or “wrong,” influencing our choices, from the way we work to how we perceive success, relationships, and self-worth. These pressures can conflict with our personal values, making it difficult to follow our own path without feeling judged or constrained.
- Economic and Environmental Constraints: Not everyone has the luxury of making the healthiest choices all the time. Financial struggles, lack of access to nutritious food, healthcare, safe environments, or education can severely limit one’s ability to nurture their brain and overall well-being.
- Mental Health and Trauma: Past traumas, stress, or ongoing mental health challenges can cloud our intuition and decision-making. When our mental state is compromised, it becomes harder to trust ourselves or even recognize what’s genuinely best for us.
- Relationships and Interpersonal Dynamics: While we strive to surround ourselves with positive influences, we can’t always control the people in our lives. Family dynamics, work environments, and unexpected conflicts can impact our mental state, sometimes requiring us to navigate toxic or challenging relationships.
- Life’s Unpredictability: Illness, accidents, loss, and other life-altering events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. These moments remind us that, no matter how much control we think we have, life can throw curveballs that force us to adapt and rethink our approach.
- The Complexity of the Mind: The mind is not always logical; emotions, biases, and cognitive distortions can skew our perception. Decisions that feel right in the moment might be influenced by fears, insecurities, or short-term thinking rather than true intuition.
- Inner Conflicts: Often, our desires conflict with our values. We might want comfort but need growth, crave connection but fear vulnerability. Navigating these inner contradictions makes life more complex than simply following what feels right.
- Balancing Short-term vs. Long-term Needs: Our intuition might push us toward immediate comfort or gratification, but what’s best for us often involves discipline, sacrifice, or discomfort. Balancing these competing needs adds layers of complexity to our decisions.
Understanding our minds means understanding ourselves, our connections, and what it means to be alive. So let’s keep asking questions, challenging the limits, and finding out what’s really going on inside our heads. After all, it’s the one thing we carry with us through every single moment of our lives.
