Why we do, what we do?
Post 015
Have you ever considered why we do, what we do?
The answer may surprise you! Our minds are governed by two domains. The conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind processes approximately 140 pieces of information per second. It’s the part of the brain I’m using to write this, and that you are using to read it. The conscious mind is the Adult mind, thinking and planning long term strategies 5, 10, 15 years into the future.
The subconscious mind however, is a different matter altogether, processing between 2.2 - 11 million pieces of information per second. The subconscious is in charge of functions and behaviors that keep us alive, like our heart beating, our digestion, our hair & nail growth, and our personal safety protocols. It’s the machine running in the background and it’s primary function is to keep us safe. The subconscious mind is all about survival. It records every sound, every image, and every action we come across, plus every feeling or emotion from the third trimester forward. And it never stops recording. The subconscious mind keeps looking for repetitive cues. The more repetitive the signal, the subconscious mind identifies this as the safest move for you.
For instance, when a child who was raised by self-abusive parents finally leaves the home, the subconscious rapidly seeks self-abusive friends and self-abusive partners, because the mind feels safer inside the familiar (to keep you safe - ‘one of the herd’).
But here’s the deal. The subconscious doesn’t care if the resultant actions make you depressed, overweight, financially bereft, or spiritually bankrupt. When we operate from the subconscious mind, our behavior is not based on logic or happiness, or truth or even reality. We also go into subconscious auto-pilot when in fear, or under stress. The subconscious mind’s purpose remember, is survival, and wired to provide us intelligence based on the repetitive information it has recorded. The resulting actions are often not our best move, and this is self sabotage in a nutshell.
So how do we get out of this Child mind, safety based subconscious programming? We start by recognizing all our irrational and illogical behaviors, and begin reprogramming ourselves with positive Adult-based behaviors. Actually, it can be done quite easily, at any time, so never think we are stuck into a certain mindset. We certainly do not have to repeat the same negative actions that no longer serve us well.
Only when you’re healthy, only when you control what fear is allowed to enter your life, and only when you control your own thoughts…..can you calm the system down enough to embrace the big changes in life that will make you happy.
In 2026 I will be accepting clients who wish to rid themselves of self sabotaging behaviors. I’ll guide them towards doing things that make them happy instead of safe. I’ll be teaching clients how to get the body and mind ready to walk into fear and operate through it, rather than automatically react to it. Our thoughts can change how our body works and how it looks as well. Personal growth into a new way of life, begins by reprogramming for success and happiness, rather than subconsciously seeking safety.
If you want to receive these emails directly, outside of Substack, then please email me at: Andy@5pillarhealth.com
Our business at 5 Pillar Health is your health and well-being! I write a short post every two weeks (1st & 15th) discussing all aspects of 5 Pillar Health. (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, & Financial).