Understanding Your Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind plays a huge role in shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and decisions. Let’s break it down so it’s easy to understand and apply to your daily life.
Simple Analogies to Understand the Subconscious:
Think of your mind as an iceberg.
The conscious mind is the small part above the water—what you’re aware of, like your
thoughts and actions. The subconscious mind is the massive portion below the surface—your memories, emotions, habits, and automatic responses.
"The part of the iceberg underwater is what really determines what is on the surface, just like your subconscious determines your decisions and feelings. If we learn to work with this hidden part of our mind, we can steer our lives in the direction we want."
Your subconscious is like a mental autopilot.
Think back to when you learned to drive a car or ride a bike. At first, you had to think about
every step—steering, braking, shifting gears. Over time, it became automatic. Now, you don’t even have to think about it.
"That’s your subconscious at work. It stores repeated behaviors and reactions so you can act without effort. The same thing happens with emotional responses or habits; they become automatic, too."
Emotional Reactions
Your subconscious stores past experiences and uses them to influence how you feel in the moment.
"Have you ever reacted strongly to something without knowing why? Maybe a song made you feel sad, or a smell brought back a memory from childhood.
That’s your subconscious sending signals based on what it remembers, even if you aren’t aware of it."
The subconscious is where your habits live, good or bad.
"Have you noticed you fall into the same patterns, even when you want to change?
That’s because the subconscious holds onto what it knows, even when those habits don’t help you
anymore. The good news is, with practice, you can reprogram it to support better habits."
Why This Matters for Re-Entry
Understanding and working with your subconscious is key to making lasting changes.
Here’s why:
Breaking Old Patterns
"A lot of the behaviors that got you into trouble might have come from habits or beliefs you
weren’t aware of. The subconscious runs on autopilot, repeating what it’s used to. By becoming
aware of it, you can start to change those patterns and build new ones that align with the life you
want."
Building Confidence and New Habits
"When you train your subconscious with positive beliefs —like ‘I can handle stress without
anger’—those beliefs become your default reactions over time.
This helps you respond differently to challenges and build confidence in yourself."
How to Engage with Your Subconscious
Now that you know how important the subconscious is, here are some simple ways to work with it:
Journaling.
"Before bed, take a few minutes to write down your thoughts or feelings without judging them.
Don’t worry about spelling or grammar—just write. This helps you see patterns in your
subconscious and understand what’s driving your emotions."
Mindfulness Practices
"Spend five minutes a day just noticing your thoughts. Don’t try to change them—just observe.
This helps you become aware of what’s going on under the surface and creates space for new
habits to form."
Visualization
"Close your eyes and picture yourself succeeding at something important to you.
See it clearly and imagine how it feels. This will help ‘program’ your subconscious with a positive image of your
future self and helps you move toward it."
Affirmations
"Choose a simple, positive statement about the person you want to become, like ‘I am calm
and make good choices’ or ‘I am strong and in control.’ Repeat it to yourself every day.
Over time your subconscious will believe it, and it will start shaping your behavior to match."
Final Thoughts
Understanding the subconscious is like getting the key to the engine of your mind.
It’s where habits are formed, and emotions are processed. By learning to work with it, you can break old patterns,
build new habits, and create a life that reflects your goals and values.
"It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. Every small step you take to understand your
subconscious brings you closer to the life you want to live."
The Ride: A Story About the Journey
There was a man named Jay who found himself standing at the edge of a long, winding road.
He didn’t remember how he got there, but he knew one thing: he wanted to move forward and reach a
better place.
Beside him sat an old car, dusty but solid, waiting to take him on the journey.
Before he climbed in, a guide appeared—a wise old mechanic who offered some advice.
“Jay,” the mechanic said, “this car will take you anywhere you want to go. But only if you take care
of it and learn how to drive it. Let me explain how it works.”
“The car is your body,” the mechanic said. “It’s how you get through the journey of life. Take care of
it—keep it fueled, give it the rest it needs, and fix it when it’s worn down. If you ignore it, the ride will
be bumpy, slow, or even stop altogether.”
Jay nodded. He realized he hadn’t always cared for his body—he’d pushed it too hard, ignored the
warning lights, and run out of fuel more times than he could count. But now, he saw how important
it was to keep the car in good shape.
“Next,” the mechanic continued, “is the transmission. That’s your subconscious, connecting your
thoughts to your actions. It shifts the gears for you—helping you adapt to the road ahead. But you
have to be in the right gear.”
Jay frowned. “What happens if I’m not?”
The mechanic smiled. “Well, if you try to climb a steep hill in high gear, you’ll stall out. If you’re
cruising down a smooth highway in low gear, you’ll burn yourself out. Life’s about knowing when to
shift—when to slow down, when to push harder, and when to let things flow.”
Jay realized that he’d often been stuck in the wrong gear—pushing too hard when he should’ve
paced himself or coasting when he should’ve worked harder.
“Now,” the mechanic said, pointing to the front of the car, “here’s the engine—your mind. It powers
everything. Keep it running smooth by feeding it good thoughts and clearing out the gunk of doubt
and negativity. A well-maintained engine can handle almost anything.”
Jay remembered how often he’d let fear and anger clog up his engine. He decided to focus on
clearing those thoughts and replacing them with determination and positivity.
The mechanic gestured to the road ahead.
“Life’s terrain will keep changing. Some stretches will be smooth highways where you can coast, but others will be full of potholes, steep hills, and sharp turns. You can’t control the road, but you can control how you drive on it.”
Jay looked at the road and realized it wouldn’t always be easy. But knowing that the bumps were
part of the ride gave him courage. He didn’t have to fear the obstacles—just prepare for them.
“Your speed,” the mechanic said, “is like your decisions. Go too fast, and you might miss important
turns. Go too slow, and you might never get where you’re going. Pay attention to the road and
adjust your speed to the conditions.”
Jay thought about how he’d rushed into decisions before or stayed stuck because he was afraid to
move. He realized the key was balance—moving steadily and intentionally.
Finally, the mechanic leaned on the car. “Where are you going, Jay?”
Jay hesitated. “I don’t know,” he admitted.
“That’s okay,” the mechanic said. “Your destination doesn’t have to be perfectly clear. Just choose
a direction for now—someplace better than here. And remember, the ride itself is where you’ll
grow. Every mile teaches you something, so don’t forget to enjoy it.”
With that, the mechanic disappeared, and Jay climbed into the car. He turned the key, and the
engine roared to life. As he started down the road, he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time: Hope.
He wasn’t just driving aimlessly anymore. He had the tools to make the journey work. He knew he
needed to care for the car, shift gears when needed, stay steady on rough terrain, and adjust his
speed along the way. The destination might be far, but Jay knew he would get there—one mile at a
time.
This isn’t just Jay’s story. It’s yours too. Life is your ride, and the car is already waiting for you.
Whether you’re just starting out or trying to get back on the road after a detour, you have everything
you need to move forward.
Take care of your body.
Align your subconscious.
Clear your mind.
Adapt to life’s terrain.
Make intentional decisions.
And never forget: the ride is just as important as the destination.
Where will your journey take you?