Have you ever found yourself stuck in an eddy — not just on the river, but in life?
On a recent paddle on the Cheoah River here in Western North Carolina, a conversation with my friend Mark sparked a deeper reflection on mindset. We were talking about trusting ourselves on the river, checking in with our skill, and then Mark said something simple but profound:
“Then I just have to remind myself… peel out of the eddy.”
It made us laugh — because it sounds so basic. Of course, to run a rapid, you have to leave the eddy. But if you’re a paddler, you know that moment can feel scary. Once you peel out, you’re in the flow. It’s go time. There’s no going back.
That one moment inspired this this post — because peeling out of the eddy is more than a paddling move. It’s a metaphor for life.
And, I’ve recently learned a technique for breaking out of safety that is blowing my mind on and off the river!
Are You Stuck in a Mental Eddy?
In whitewater, eddies can be comforting. Safe. Predictable. But sometimes, they can hold you longer than you want. Life is the same way. We fall into habit patterns, thought loops, or emotional states that feel familiar — and the brain loves familiar because it feels safe.
But familiar doesn’t always mean aligned. It doesn’t always mean helpful.
And often, it doesn’t get us where we want to go.
Changing those patterns — in thought, emotion, or action — takes courage. It takes clarity. And just like on the river, it takes practice.
How Train Your Brain to Break Out
Recently, I’ve been diving into the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza, especially around generating feelings ahead of time — not just thinking your way through a goal, but actually embodying the feeling of achieving it before you get there.
We’re taught that we have to do something first in order to feel a certain way.
But what if it’s the opposite?
What if the key is to generate the feeling of stoke, confidence, or gratitude before you drop into the rapid — or the job, or the conversation, or the day?
This shift has been powerful for me, both personally and with my clients.
Now, before I put on a run that makes me nervous, I actively take a few minutes to generate the feelings I want to experience after the river: joy, gratitude, confidence. And it’s working.
Real Talk: I Still Have My Moments
No one’s perfect — and neither are our lines.
The other day on the Cheoah, my perfectionist self immediately defaulted to my old inner critic because I felt like I missed a few boofs by a few inches.
My husband and Mark were cheering, and I was muttering about two inches.🙄
That’s the pattern. But now I see it. And that awareness is powerful.
So instead of beating myself up for falling back into judgment, I remind myself:
I want to celebrate. I want to feel confident.
I get to choose to generate that feeling — and strengthen that new habit, just like I train a move over and over until it becomes muscle memory.
A Daily Practice to Shift Your Flow
Here’s a simple practice you can try right now — something I guide my clients through during retreats, private instruction and coaching, and morning yoga:
Stand or sit quietly and bring to mind something or someone you’re grateful for.
Curl your lips up into a little smile as you hold that thought of gratitude in your mind and heart.
Now think of something about yourself that you’re proud of or grateful for.
Curl your lips up into a little smile again — and hold that feeling in your heart space.
Visualize the end of your day or your challenge (your “rapid”).
Ask yourself: How do I want to feel when this is done?
Bring those feelings up and hold them like they’re already real — get into those feelings and curl your lips up into a little smile.
This small, intentional act can shift your entire day. And over time, it can help you build new mental and emotional patterns that support where you truly want to go.
Ready to Peel Out?
If you feel like you’re swirling in a mental or emotional eddy, maybe it’s time.
Time to spot your landing.
Time to feel your way forward.
Time to peel out — on purpose.
And if you try this practice, I’d love to hear how it goes for you!
Drop me a note and let me know what shifted.
Thanks for reading — and remember, the flow is waiting. 💧
