Have you ever stopped to ask yourself
What am I really thinking right now?
It sounds simple, but how often do we pay attention to our own thoughts?
Try it now —
Think about what you are thinking. It is a little exercise that can help you understand your mind better and even improve how you think.
From the moment we were born until our last breath, our minds are constantly busy thinking. But what exactly do we think about?
That is a big question — and surprisingly, most of us are not fully aware of what is happening inside our own heads.
You might say, “Of course I know what I am thinking!” But research tells us otherwise.
On average, our brain generates around 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts every single day. That is an overwhelming amount! It is impossible to be fully aware of all those thoughts or control them. Thoughts come and go so fast, they are like a river flowing inside our minds — continuous and automatic.
What Are Thoughts, Really?
Let us take a step back and look at thoughts more closely.
Simply put, thoughts are how our brain processes information. Our brain is constantly receiving input from our senses — what we see, hear, smell, touch, and taste.
It takes in all this information and works on it, even when we are not paying attention.
Because our brain is always busy processing, it is no wonder we have tens of thousands of thoughts each day. But just like other automatic body functions — like breathing or digesting food — most of our thinking happens without us even noticing.
Can We Watch Our Thoughts?
Yessss!
It is possible to observe what is happening inside your mind. But to do this, you need to understand a few key things:
• Thoughts are the brain’s way of processing information it receives from the outside world or from other thoughts.
• Every input your brain gets is analyzed to figure out if this is required or can it be ignored.
• If it needs to be consumed, how best can it use to help you survive and succeed.
• Your brain constantly imagines different possible outcomes for every situation.
• For example, if you feel threatened, your brain might imagine running away or defending yourself — even extreme ideas might pop up. But these are just thoughts, not actions.
What you actually do depends on your past experiences and choices.
Don’t Be Afraid of Your Thoughts
When you start paying attention to your thoughts, you might feel surprised — or even shocked — by what you discover inside your mind. That is normal!
Remember:
Thoughts are just information being processed. They don’t control you, and you don’t have to act on every thought that pops up. They are like messages your brain sends to explore what is possible
How to Watch Your Thoughts
Here’s a simple way to start watching your thoughts: do nothing.
Sit quietly and simply observe what your mind is doing. Notice how a thought starts from something you sense — a sound, a sight, a feeling — and then follows a path inside your brain. You might see your thoughts branching out into many different directions, imagining many different possibilities.
The key is to watch without getting attached or worried. You don’t have to believe or act on any thought that comes to mind. Just observe. This simple awareness helps you understand how your brain works without getting overwhelmed by it.
Why This Matters
When you become aware of your thoughts, you can see which parts of your brain are triggered by different inputs.
This insight gives you more control — you can begin to guide your thinking instead of letting it run wild.
By learning to watch your thoughts, you can focus more clearly on what truly matters and make better decisions. In other words, you can take charge inside your mind.
Next time you catch yourself thinking, ask:
Are you really in control?
Or
Is your mind just on autopilot?
The answer could change how you see yourself — and your life.
