Fighting your demons is never easy. Overcoming these man-made entities is challenging, and the more attention you give them, the more power they seem to have.
Fortunately, overcoming these ‘imaginary gremlins’ is definitely possible with the right approach.
What are demons?
A demon is an evil, mythical monster or spirit. Stories about demons are featured in a variety of different religious traditions. You might come across a demon in a supernatural fairy tale, or even in the Christian Bible.
vocabulary.com
Demons are mythical monsters or spirits. They exist in fictional stories as well as various different religions.
I prefer to think of demons as limiting thought patterns or beliefs that prevent us moving forward. Fear prevents most people living the life they really want.
Unfortunately, these fictional stories that we repeatedly think are based on fear, self-doubt and negative emotions from our past.
Inner demons are based on criticisms, self-doubt and negative patterns. They can be the things we tell ourselves that aren’t necessarily real. It could be something someone said when we were a child, a negative remark from an old boss or a put down from a friend. Even a conversation we saw on Twitter/X.
www.creativebloom.com
But overcoming these ‘imaginary demons’ is definitely possible.
Fight or flee
Nobody wants to experience the fear: that sinking feeling that precedes impending doom. But certain situation’s trigger fear and anxiety for good reason.
For example, when being chased by an armed group of yobs or attacked by a mountain lion….
Luckily, these situation’s don’t arise very often. But when they do, adrenaline gives us that extra surge of energy to fight back, or the more likely option, run away!
Psychologist’s call this extra burst of energy the ‘fight or flight response’ as the adrenaline gives you the power to fight, flight or freeze. The latter option is when your body freezes like a statue to avoid being noticed.
Your demons are synonymous with fear, and the good news is defeating them requires far less effort than you would expect. With knowledge and understanding, you can change your relationship with your demons so will longer need to fight them.
Our relationship with fear is both challenging and confusing. In order to gain wisdom, you need to understand the basics of how your brain works.
Thinking activates neural networks 🧠
When you think any thought, your brain stores it as memory. The brain is constantly building neural connections based upon the thoughts you are thinking.
The more you think a thought, the stronger the associated neural network becomes.
Deeply held beliefs create stronger, more complex neural networks in your brain because they’ve been repeatedly reinforced over time. These beliefs connect across multiple brain regions – linking emotions, memories, and reasoning – which is why changing long-held beliefs is so challenging.
In other words, it’s much easier to change your thoughts and opinions on a relatively new situation than to change your deep rooted beliefs.
A neural network, also known as a biological neural network, is indeed an interconnected group of neurons, often containing multiple neural circuits1. These networks are studied to understand the organization and functioning of nervous systems12.
en.wilkipedia.org, upgrad.com
Find inner peace and overcome demons💡
Inner peace comes with understanding your mind and its relationship with fear. This largely determines your quality of life.
By practicing self-awareness, you can become aware of your thoughts and emotions and how they influence your behaviours. And with practice, you gain insights into what triggers your fears.
And with this knowledge, you can learn why these thought’s and emotions seem to hold power over you.
Meditation and mindfulness training can help you to watch your thoughts and find your inner peace.
It might be helpful to seek support, reach out to good friends, family members, or health professionals who can provide more guidance in this area.
So by increasing your self – awareness, you can find the space between your thoughts. 💭 And as you detach from your mind, you will find your own inner peace. ☮️ 🤩
I have included a short meditation below. Don’t worry, you don’t have to master any ‘lotus postures’ or anything.
The meditation practice works well on its own. Even on a bus or a train.
Short Meditation Practice for Self awareness
🧘🧘♂️
1. Begin by taking three slow, deep breaths.
2. Notice the feeling of air entering your nostrils, filling your lungs, and leaving your body.
3. Let your breathing come back to its natural rhythm.
4. Scan your body from head to toe, noticing any areas of tension without trying to change them.
