Skip to main content

The Zeigarnik effect is a psychological phenomenon that can teach you a little something about how to settle your unsettled mind.

How to break the thought loops, so you can start thinking forward again

In essence, the Zeigarnik effect suggests that there is a tendency for your brain to remember and prioritize, interrupted or incomplete tasks.

The implication is being, if you’ve got something that’s unresolved, your brain just won’t let it go.

That’s a relationship status that’s left complicated

A job search that’s waning

A new project you started but never finished

The lifestyle changes you set out to make but didn’t follow through on

The conversation you know needs to be had, but you’ve been avoiding

It’s also hesitation, stagnation –

delaying and procrastinating.

It could be an idea or opinion that hasn’t been fully formed,

A thought that hasn’t been fully processed, or an intention set, that’s then left festering.

Finding resolution could be as simple as making a decision, a firm commitment and then following through.

You can start making a move towards resolving things by simply deciding to.

You have choices, so choose.

You have decisions to make, to make them.

If you want to stop overthinking, then start doing.

Get a sense of what you’ve been avoiding and stop avoiding it

Don’t make promises you can’t keep

Don’t keep yourself or others waiting

And start taking control of your life back.

Understanding the Zeigarnik effect and how your brain works will go a long way to finally setting you free.

Leave a Reply

Close Menu
  • Taking your second chance
    It’s pointless, because history will always be confined to history. Instead it may be time to look yourself in the mirror, at the risk of not liking what you see. Because getting it right, means being honest with yourself. It comes with the brutality of having to confront your own demons, And being able and willing to take the hits. So take your second chance. Don’t look back in anger, maintain the hope And be determined to do things a little different.
  • Symphony of Sadness
    There’s a great symphony in sadnessA million things conspiring beautifully together to set a sombre tone. It’s a tragedy, no doubt. Irrational at times, often transcending words or reason.But incomprehensible in...
  • Communication is not a one way street
    Communication is not a one way street. It’s not about talking, it’s about listening. It’s not about reacting, it’s about responding. It’s not about knowing, It’s about understanding. It’s not about judgement or pretense It’s about connection.
  • Leaving it all behind
    Some things are certainly worth holding onto -  Others we just hold onto because we are too afraid to say goodbye.  Not because we can’t But because doing so means facing our own mortality
  • Ahead of the game
    It’s easy to play life on the back foot Always playing defence. Always waiting, always passive, always reactive.