Anchors for the Everyday Mind

Part 4 of the Mindset Reset: From Survival to Rebuild Thinking Series

When I suddenly lost my job and the reality began to settle in, I knew I needed something to steady myself. Acceptance didn’t come overnight, but once it started to take root, I realized I needed to keep my mind from spiraling into negativity. Long before I recognized that my path was about rebuilding — not just replacing — I knew I needed something within my control.

I chose my health. I joined a gym and rediscovered my love for lifting weights. Looking back, I see that what I created for myself wasn’t just a workout routine. It was an anchor.

What Are Anchors?

Anchors are intentional practices or routines that ground you when life feels unstable. They don’t have to be dramatic or time-consuming. They can be as small as writing a sentence in your journal each night, taking a five-minute walk at lunch, or brewing your tea the same way each morning.

The power of an anchor isn’t in its size but in its steadiness. It doesn’t erase chaos, but it gives you something familiar and stabilizing to return to. It tells your nervous system: I am safe enough to keep showing up. 

Anchors vs. Escapes

It’s easy to confuse anchors with escapes. Escapes are the habits that numb you — endless scrolling, binge-watching, or filling every quiet moment with noise. They may distract you in the moment, but they leave you emptier afterward.

Anchors, on the other hand, replenish. They bring you back to yourself. When you finish an anchor, you feel clearer, more centered, more grounded.

Read more on the difference between healthy coping and avoidance (APA).

Why Anchors Matter in Rebuilding

👉Read the full post on Substack →

The full expanded version of this post is available on Substack, with more stories, research, and reflection prompts to support your shift.