Making Changes – What Hat Are You Wearing?
Making Changes – What Hat Are You Wearing?
Our mind operates on different levels when creating and maintaining change.
You’ve probably heard phrases like “I need to put on my thinking cap” or “I’ve got my business hat on now.” These expressions highlight how we shift our mindset based on the situation.
This concept can also be applied to how our mind works. Understanding these different levels can help us recognize how we form habits, patterns, and beliefs—whether helpful or limiting.
Let’s explore the three Levels of the Mind:
1. The Unconscious Mind – The Beanie Brain
The unconscious mind controls automatic functions like:
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Digestion
- Eye movements
- Blood pressure
Think of it like a beanie—it’s always there, keeping you warm, but you hardly notice it. These processes run in the background without your awareness.
2. The Subconscious Mind – The Fascinator Brain
The subconscious mind is like a fascinator—the fancy, creative headpiece you might wear to a big event. This part of the mind is full of imagination and does not differentiate between reality and perception.
This is where patterns are created. Some patterns are helpful:
- Creativity
- Confidence
- Learning new skills
- Performing well at work or school
Others may be unhelpful:
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Overeating
- Poor sleep
When we experience something repeatedly, our subconscious accepts it as a truth, whether positive or negative.
3. The Conscious Mind – The Serious Hat
The conscious mind is like a serious business hat—practical, structured, and focused. It holds our version of reality and maintains the patterns we’ve developed over time.
This can be great if the pattern supports you, like:
- A strong belief in your values
- Confidence in your abilities
- Trust in loved ones
However, if a pattern is limiting, it can feel impossible to change—even with logical reasoning.
For example, someone with a fear of flying may know the safety statistics, but their subconscious still believes flying is dangerous. Their conscious mind holds onto this as reality.
How to Change Unhelpful Patterns
Talking about problems often engages the conscious mind, but real change happens in the subconscious—the pattern maker and breaker.
This is where clinical hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool. It works directly with the subconscious to create new, positive patterns and break limiting ones.
Ready for a Change?
If you want to rewrite your patterns, it’s time to put on a new hat!
📅 CLICK HERE to Book a session with me!
You can also read How You Do One Thing, Is How You Do Everything. If this article resonates with you, share it—you never know who might need this insight today!
