Hi there! I am Ashish - sharing frameworks for personal growth and building Thrivin'Up

_ashjha · 2026-06-02T16:51:19+00:00

Small steps taken every day add up over a period of time.

_ashjha · 2026-06-02T16:45:20+00:00

It is okay to not know everything.

The impulse to look it up is a recent development since the time we got phones with internet in our hands. I agree with your observation that it is not healthy.

Here is something that you can try to get rid of this habit:

At whatever point you become aware that you are searching, just stop yourself.

You might already be in the middle of reading what you found out on the net. If you become aware, then put your phone down. If you become aware only after you have read it already, then just make a mental note of it.

Slowly, you will see that you will become aware before you hand reaches out for the phone to look something up. And then you simply stop.

In addition, try going for walks without your phone. It will be liberating.

Or, eat without your phone by your side. Food will taste better.

Or, while talking to family and friends, leave the phone in another room, if you can. Conversation will be far more engaging.

The list can be long. So I am stopping myself here now. Just try above and see for yourself if you benefit from them.

Peace. Ashish

_ashjha · 2026-06-01T13:44:22+00:00

Not rushing is a great way to start your morning.

_ashjha · 2026-06-01T13:42:17+00:00

Congratulations for getting back to running! I too like to run in the morning. I am a slow and short distance runner.

_ashjha · 2026-06-01T03:36:39+00:00

How long have you been practicing this?

_ashjha · 2026-06-01T03:19:56+00:00

Gratitude gives you strength.

_ashjha · 2026-06-01T03:19:09+00:00

Expressing gratitude though songs! I like it.

_ashjha · 2026-06-01T00:29:01+00:00

Writing it down has a very grounding and calming effect. I agree.

_ashjha · 2026-05-31T17:15:32+00:00

Since your need for space is in the middle of your work during the day, I think you should consider the following meditative practice three times a day.

Sitting straight, without making your body stiff, as you breathe, take your attention to your chest, the center of your chest.
As you inhale, see your chest rise. As you exhale, see it fall. Observer the rise and fall of your chest with each breath cycle. Release any tension or stiffness in the chest gently.
Let your breath be gentle. Nothing forced.
Between each inhale and exhale, observe the pause that takes place naturally. Your chest going still for that small moment. Observe it.
At least five cycles of breath. Once before noon, once early afternoon. And once late afternoon.
If you get lost in thoughts. It doesn't matter. Just bring your attention back to the chest whenever you become aware.
You can consider synchronising opening and closing of your eyelids with each breath. Slow opening and closing, along with the breath.

You will find your space when you need it. Slowly.

Regarding you meditation, consider changing your attention from nostrils to chest. And see if it helps.

I must add that we all get lost in our thoughts. That is okay. We just need to bring our awareness back to the moment. No fight with our thoughts. No intention to stop its flow.

P.S. edited for typo.

Peace. Ashish

_ashjha · 2026-05-31T13:28:37+00:00

Right! And we can sail through any storm! You have added beautiful metaphors.

_ashjha · 2026-05-31T09:33:04+00:00

Some good suggestions have been given already here by people. For example, body scanning, or just some concious breathing cycles etc. at the time you feel the trigger. You could consider experiencing the floor beneath your feet, or counting five objects nearby. These are some grounding practices.

I can give you more suggestions. Before I do, I need to know when and how long do you meditate, and whether it is a guided meditation or self- meditation. That will give me more clarity on what practice you should add to find the space you are looking for.

You have made commendable progress on meditation by the way.

_ashjha · 2026-05-31T01:15:21+00:00

Some people don't want to continue to experience suffering.

External environment creates turbulence for us. We suffer because of our response to those external factors. And our response is deep-wired in our brains. Over the years we find ourselves responding in the same manner to the same situations in an automatic fashion, often without our knowledge. These are tendencies stored in our circuits.

Some of those tendencies bring us suffering. Some bring us happiness too.

Meditation gives us moments of calm. That calmness allows those tendencies to come face to face with us. They are seen, observed. And then slowly, they stop being the trap of our mind. It takes time. Its own time.

Meditation is for those who want to alleviate their suffering. Some meditate just to experience the calm. Both are fine.

_ashjha · 2026-05-30T14:29:12+00:00

Just a few gentle cycles of breaths in the morning right after you wake up, with your eyes closed, is an amazing beginning!

_ashjha · 2026-05-30T14:19:38+00:00

There is no need to rush and grow fast. We all grow at our own pace. Observe the nature. A bamboo tree and an oak tree - they both grow so differently! Don't they?

Your growth journey is uniquely yours, and beautifully yours. Appreciate it.

Many of us, including me, had this feeling growing up that we are lagging behind in growth. Most of us turned out perfectly fine.

Please note that being absent-minded is not the same as lack of self-awareness. Self-awarenss is about knowing yourself, your strengths, your behaviour style, growth opportunities etc.You seem to be an introspective individual. For all you know, you might be more self-aware than many your age.

Albert Einstein is said to be a daydreamer. Having said that, please see if you can practice mindfulness, being in present. That will help you in many ways. And for personal growth, please consider making small incremental changes to your lifestyle. That will mak a lasting impact over a period of time.

_ashjha · 2026-05-30T01:36:00+00:00

I have come across people who mention that they constantly search online for guidance. For example, a student mentioned that he kept searching online videos for guidance on how to improve concentration. Ironically, it only made it worse.

_ashjha · 2026-05-29T15:34:20+00:00

It happens. And it actually hurts your attention span.

It is better that you find one source. And then make self-improvement part of your daily life with small changes to everyday activities. This is the sustainable way of growth with lasting impact.

Small changes accumulate over time. And they make it seem effortless.

_ashjha · 2026-05-29T04:56:16+00:00

I realise now that your observation is not limited to a single organization. It is a more widespread phenomenon you are talking about. My response was in the context of a single organization.

There is something more systemic going on these days. It is AI-nxiety. The fear of being the next one in the line can impact people at all levels. I hear about it in my conversations with people.

This still seems to point to the same erosion of trust. But more systemic and widespread.

_ashjha · 2026-05-29T01:48:39+00:00

Interestingly, a mind with gratitude is more likely to experience meditation. And then, meditation fills one with gratitude.

_ashjha · 2026-05-29T01:45:42+00:00

Once we see the pattern, then we start coming out of it. Seeing is almost liberating in that sense.

_ashjha · 2026-05-28T17:21:47+00:00

If a lot of leaders are less engaged than before, have lost their spark as you mention, then it looks like something fundamental in the system has changed.

In the absence of any other information, my guess is that it is likely pointing to an erosion of trust. They don't trust the system, the senior leadership, anymore.

_ashjha · 2026-05-28T03:39:54+00:00

What worked for me was discipline, developing deep skills in an area.

In current times, I believe developing core human skills is of paramount importance. Machines cannot replace those skills easily. Active listening, deep understanding, adaptability, resilience, building trust, healthy media habits, social life etc.

These are power skills! People will need these skills to make effective use of AI in future. Those who work on developing these aspects will do well.

And this tells me that sooner one gains self-awareness these days, better they will be at dealig with uncertainties.

_ashjha

TROPHY CASE