It’s Saturday morning. You have been looking forward to this day so you can relax and hang out with your friends. But as soon as you wake up and brush your teeth, instead of getting ready to step out of the house, you open your laptop to check emails. Unwittingly, you find yourself working again. Can you relate to this? You automatically slip into a routine and you don’t even realise until a few minutes later. This phenomenon can be referred to as living life on autopilot.
According to a study conducted by Marks and Spencer, 96 percent of 3000 people surveyed admitted to deciding something on autopilot mode. This happens when you do the same thing over and over again like a knee-jerk reaction. You form habits and develop routines that enable you to work like a machine. Yes, autopilot mode has certain benefits as it allows you to do your work quickly and correctly, like clockwork.
But living on autopilot mode prevents you from seizing opportunities in life and enjoying the little moments of your journey. Essentially, you have found yourself a comfortable spot, which you don’t want to come out from. At the same time, you develop a habit of pleasing others because you don’t want to upset anyone. For instance, you would say yes to plans you don’t want to be a part of, agree to work late or hang out after work when you’d rather go home. It stops you from leading your life the way you want to live.
Over time, you become resentful and even depressed. Dr Mark Williamson, one of the study contributors, says, “When running on autopilot, we often make unhelpful choices, so we feel trapped and like we’re living someone else’s life.”
Here are a few ways that can help you turn off your autopilot mode and live life the way you want to.
Identify what matters to you
In life, we all have some kind of obligations to fulfil. Whether it is meeting someone after work, agreeing to work late, or attending a college reunion, when life runs on autopilot mode, you may find it hard to decline requests, no matter how much you want to. A tendency to please others is developed deep within our psyche. Your default mode says ‘yes’ without taking into account your own desire or will. This builds resentment and increases stress. This is why you need to identify what matters to you. So, the next time, you can evaluate your needs first before saying yes to anyone. It’ll give you the time to think, check your calendar, and truly know whether or not you want to oblige their request. When you are aware of your priorities, you can make decisions consciously.
Introducing a new habit disrupts the monotony of daily life and encourages you to be more present and engaged. It creates excitement, making you more conscious of your actions and breaking the cycle of autopilot living.
Pausing to think before reacting allows you to respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively. This practice fosters self-awareness and prevents you from acting out of habit or autopilot reactions.
Stepping out of your comfort zone challenges the familiar and prompts you to be more engaged in the present moment.
Mindfulness meditation cultivates awareness of the present moment, helping you observe your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment.
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