Meditation Isn’t for the Faint-Hearted—But It Is the Answer When Your Nervous System Hijacks Your Mouth

Inside Nat's Notebook - Real Reflections for Real Change

I remember my first proper attempt at meditation. I genuinely thought the app had broken. Seriously! Picture this:

I’d snuggled in with a blanket to stay warm, popped in my earphones with a calming voice, dimmed the lights... I was ready for inner peace and deep transformation.

Then: SILENCE.

And within seconds? My mind turned into a full-on Category 5 storm.

Every thought I’d ever avoided came crashing in my worries, to-dos, awkward memories… all playing musical chairs in my head.

And of course, my inner Frenemy (you know, that voice that sounds like your inner critic with a megaphone) casually reminded me I was “failing at life.” 

Delightful! I was so overwhelmed that I dragged my exhausted, weary body, flustered and tearful, to the machine.

Turns out the silence had lasted a grand total of TWO MINUTES. 

That’s it. 120 little seconds.

Yep, JUST as I reached the machine, the voice came back on. What the actual?!

How had I never noticed how loud my head was?

That moment didn’t feel like peace; it felt like a meltdown.

But it was also the start of something important.

That chaos? It showed me exactly what I’d been carrying… while living life on autopilot.

The Real Reason You Snap (Hint: It’s Not Just Stress)

Let’s talk truth: When you snap at your partner for breathing too loudly or end up crying because the dishwasher wasn’t unloaded (yep, been there), it’s not just you in a mood.

That’s your nervous system hijacking your mouth.

You’re not bad. You’re not broken.

You’re in a stress response, and your body’s reacting before your brain’s even had a chance to catch up.

Meditation Isn’t About Being Zen, It’s Brain Training!

Forget the robes, mountaintops, and incense sticks.

Meditation is mental strength training.

It’s not about emptying your mind as I had imagined! 

No no no, it’s about noticing what’s already in there and choosing how you respond to it.

Every time your mind wanders, and you bring it back? You’re literally building new neural pathways. You’re training your nervous system to stop hijacking your day (and your mouth) so you can hand the mic back to your calm, clear self.

The Three Brain Networks That Run the Show (Until You Do)

Here’s where it gets a little geeky AND seriously cool:

1. The Overthinker’s HQ

This is your Default Mode Network. This is the bit that loops through the past, fixates on the future, and fuels your inner frenemy. 

It’s useful... until it runs the whole show.

2. Your Internal Alarm Bell

This is your Salience Network.  It is designed to alert you to what’s important. But when you’re exhausted or burnt out, it treats everything like a crisis, including a side-eye or a late reply.

3. The Calm, Wise Leader

This is the one we want in charge, this is your Executive Control Network. Focus, presence, emotional regulation, clarity. THIS is the leadership team of your brain. And meditation strengthens it.

How This Shows Up in Real Life

At Work: From Busy Brain to Focused Flow

Before meditation, I was constantly juggling, flitting between tasks and overanalysing everything.

I looked productive, but inside, I felt like I was drowning. Meditation didn’t make the work disappear, but it made me calmer, clearer and far more effective. I call this Meditation in Motion.

In Relationships: From Reactive to Present

You know when something tiny sets you off, and you’re halfway into an unnecessary argument before you’ve even taken a breath?

That’s your Internal Alarm Bell, Your Salience Network in overdrive and your Calm Wise Leadership, Executive Control Network off having a nap! Meditation helped me spot those moments before the spiral. It gave me the pause I needed to respond with presence, not panic.

With Myself: From Frenemy Loops to Self-Kindness

The Overthinkers Loop or your Default Mode Network, loves a shame spiral. It replays every mistake, every regret… and yes, that cringey thing you said in 2014.

But now? I see those loops for what they are: just thoughts.

Meditation didn’t stop the inner noise, but it helped me stop believing every sound bite.

Meditation Isn’t a Luxury (or a Hippy Practice). It’s a Lifeline

This practice isn’t some wellness extra you squeeze in if you happen to have time. 

And it’s definitely not just for people who wear floaty trousers and hug trees (though if that’s your thing, go for it; follow your passion always!)

Meditation is an essential reset for your nervous system. Especially when life feels full-on.

And the best part?

You can start with just three minutes.

#RebelMoment: Your 3-Minute Fix

Ready to train your brain and give your nervous system a breather? Try this:

1. Set a timer for 3 minutes

2. Sit or lie down somewhere comfy

3. Close your eyes and breathe naturally

4. When (not if) your mind wanders, gently guide it back to your breath

5. Do this daily for a week and see what shifts; even the tiniest win counts

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about practising presence, one breath at a time.

When you stop letting your nervous system hijack your mouth (and your life), you unlock ease, clarity and a way of being that finally feels like you.

And that, my friend?

That’s real success. That’s Meditation in Motion.

If the thought of sitting in meditation is intriguing, but you are not sure, shout me, let’s sit together, I got you and you got this!

DM me - let's do this thing!

The real rebellion? Choosing to pause, reset and listen.

✨ You’ve got this. ✨

Burnout isn’t a failure, it’s a signal. Let it guide you to Reset, Realign + Rise.

Life feels lighter when your nervous system is your ally.

Stay Blessed

LoveLove

Nat x

🧡 Your Burnout Bestie 🧡

Ready to Break Free from the Cycle of Overdoing + Find Your Flow?

💡 Weekly Reset:  

Breath + movement resets are designed to fit your real life. Shift stress, clear your mind and reset your nervous system in minutes.  Join Me Here 

🍂 Seasonal Reset: 

A deep exhale for your nervous system. These seasonal workshops are designed to sync with nature’s rhythm, helping you reset before you hit the wall. Let’s Reset

🌀 1:1 Mentorship: 

Feeling stuck in survival mode? Let’s map out a way forward that actually works for you. Personalised nervous system support to help you thrive, not just survive. Learn More

💡 Not sure where to start? Take the 2-Minute Quiz to Decode Your Stress Signals + get simple, science-backed steps to reset. Take the Quiz

📩 Prefer a weekly nudge? Nat’s Natterings is your love note to your nervous system, a reminder to step off the hamster wheel and start living from a place of calm inner power. Get on the List

---

About Nat

Nat Creasy, aka Your Burnout Bestie, doesn’t sugarcoat the hustle, she calls it out for what it is: an exhausting lie that’s making us all sick.

As a Nervous System Mentor, Nat teaches people how to break free from overthinking, exhaustion, and survival mode, helping them operate from a place of power, flow and clarity.

She gets it. After burning out so hard it left her bedridden for 18 months, Nat learned the hard way that pushing through isn’t the answer. 

The real win? Learning how to work with your nervous system, not against it.

Now, she teaches people how to Reset, Realign + Rise, trading burnout for ease, exhaustion for clarity, and hustle for a life that actually feels good.

Tired of running on empty? It’s time to reclaim your energy.

👉 www.littlesoulshack.com