Quit playing Whac-a-Mole with your thoughts

Do you remember that arcade game – Whac-a-Mole? It’s where a mole rises out of the hole and using a club, you whack it back down the hole. Then another mole rises out of another hole, and another one. Before you know it you’re running back and forth trying to suppress the moles and keep them in their holes.

Well, you may not realise it, but you’ve been playing that game constantly. For years – pretty much your whole life. Only the version you’ve been playing is “Whac-a-Thought”.

We’ve all been playing a version of Whac-a-Mole, but instead of moles, we’re whacking down our thoughts.  

When an uncomfortable thought arises, bam, we knock it back down. Then another thought comes up, one our ‘shadow-self’ would rather we don’t look at. Bam, knock it down back down. 

Another thought comes up, “Remember that time that you did that really embarrassing thing?”. Bam, knock it back down.

What if, instead of knocking the thoughts down, you let them rise up? 

What if you observed the thought? 

What if you were curious about the thought: “That’s interesting, I wonder why that come up?” 

What if, instead of putting too much meaning in it and going down the rabbit warren (or mole burrow), you just acknowledge it: “Yes, I remember that time.” 

What if, instead of pushing it back down, you see it – so it’s power can be released and dissipate into the air?

What if you held space for your thoughts?

They are simply thoughts. They aren’t facts. They aren’t truths. They may be memories. They might make you cringe or feel something, but they can’t physically hurt you. 

They may be worries about the future, but again, they aren’t facts nor truths. They can’t physically hurt you. 

Feel into the now

What you have access to – moment by moment – is the now. In this now, instead of suffering your past thoughts or future worries, you have a superpower. After witnessing the thought (and not knocking it down), you can then consciously access a better feeling thought. You can feel into thoughts that give you the emotion you want to access, for example: Safety. Freedom. Abundance. Joy. Confidence.

If you notice yourself ‘Whacking-a-Thought’ follow this process

Next time an unwanted memory, worry or thought arises, try this process. Instead of immediately whacking it back down, follow these steps:

1. Think the thought, or remember the memory.
2. Acknowledge it and be curious about it – at a high level – don’t go down that rabbit hole.
3. Then let it go – visualise releasing the thought into the air and watch it dissipate like a bubble bursting.
4. Bring yourself back to the now and reach for a better feeling – for example, if the thought relates to a worry – maybe a financial worry, then reach for an abundant thought. Close your eyes and feel the sun streaming down to you in a never-ending flow of warmth.

By doing this exercise, you are bringing your thoughts out of the shadows. You are looking at them – with curiosity, and then you are relinquishing the power they have been holding over you. You become freer and lighter.

Remember – your ‘shadow-self’ thoughts are not facts. Even if they feel that way. Thoughts are not truths. They don’t have to hold power over you. You can stop whacking them back down – let them come up, see them and then release them. 

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If you’re interested in learning how to inquire into your thoughts so they no longer hold power over you, sign-up for one:one coaching. 

If this article or process brings up thoughts that require professional help to deal with, seek help. Free counselling is offered by Beyond Blue and Lifeline Australia.