Girl! It's Time to Break Free from Autopilot

The other night I was talking with my professor about grief. And we started talking about how when grieving or going through something we inadvertently get stuck on autopilot.

Being on autopilot means going through the motions of life without truly engaging with the world around you. It's a state of mind where you're not really present, where you're not fully experiencing the moments that make up your life. It's easy to fall into this trap, especially when you're busy or stressed, but it's important to snap out of it and live intentionally.

Living on autopilot can rob you of the joy that comes from being present in the moment. When you're not fully engaged in what you're doing, you're missing out on the little things that make life worth living. You may be physically present, but mentally you've checked out. This can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment.

Planes are equipped with GPS system and an autopilot function for pilots to turn on and off when needed. Here’s the problem. We don’t have an on/off switch. There is nothing we can press to turn our autopilot system on. It just happens. I have been completely guilty of this. I had gotten to point where I was on autopilot and didn't know it. I was just going through the motions. What made me snap was my mother’s death. When she died I realize I had not been living. Just working, serving at church and taking care of my son. Not really enjoying life. Recently I experienced this again. It crept in like a thief in the night. But this time I was more prepared. I had already started building my mental health team. I had gotten a good group of friends to hold me accountable, a mentor, a therapist and a psychiatrist. And I also tapped back into my relationship with my Holy Homeboys! The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. But I was still missing someone. So I sought out a life coach. So just like a healthcare team, you know your PCP, OBGYN etc, you need a mental health team too. By doing this I was able to find peace in getting off autopilot and fighting the depression I was experiencing.

Here’s some things to do if you want to break out of autopilot:

First understand, you need a team. It's impossible to succeed on your own. A therapist/coach, an accountability partner, your family, a trusted friend, and a mentor in the area you're struggling with should all be part of your team to help you achieve your goals.

Second it's important to start paying attention to your surroundings. Take a few deep breaths and really look at the world around you. Notice the colors, the sounds, the smells. Engage your senses and be present in the moment. This will help you to appreciate the little things in life and find joy in the present moment. Do this often.

Third, give yourself grace! This is not an easy journey. Old habits die hard. Expect to feel like a rollercoaster at first. And be okay with feeling. Because baby the tears will flow like a raging sea and there’s nothing you can do to stop it sometimes. Other days you feel completely overjoyed.

And finally remember , life is short and we only get one shot at it. Be intentional about you! Schedule your self care, take time for prayer and nurture the God given relationships you have and let go of the toxic ones.