Why I argue with myself in the shower
In my head, intrusive thoughts look like demons. Luckily, I’ve got a savior with a sword, and science says that’s not so crazy after all.
I don't sing in the shower. I don't meditate. I hold imaginary arguments.
Every morning, my bathroom turns into a courtroom and sometimes a battlefield. I replay old fights, awkward moments, and embarrassing mistakes. I deliver perfect comebacks to people who probably don't even remember the conversation. Sound familiar?
And of course, I always win.
When My Brain Plays Tricks
It's not just the shower. Sometimes, my brain throws random memories at me like a bad DJ. I'll be making coffee and suddenly: "Remember that awkward thing you did in 2007? Let's relive it in 4K."
Those thoughts can feel invasive, like little demons crawling into my head, whispering things I don't want to hear. But I've found a trick. I imagine a savior in my mind, calm, steady, sword raised. With one strike, the demon is gone, and the thought vanishes.
Weird? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Why We Replay the Past (And What Science Says)
Psychologists have studied this. They call these moments intrusive thoughts, random, vivid memories, or mental images that pop up without warning. You're not alone in this.
Trying to suppress them usually backfires (the white bear problem).
A therapy called Imagery Rescripting asks people to rewrite their intrusive thoughts—changing the scene in their head so it loses its power.
Even playful visualization works. My "savior with a sword" isn't just a silly fantasy—it's actually a creative form of mental self-defense.
So yes, science agrees: sometimes the best way to fight a thought is to give it a dramatic ending.
The Lesson Hidden in the Soap
I still argue with myself in the shower. But when those invasive thoughts show up, I don't just let them circle endlessly. I give them a story, an image, and a clear ending. And that ending is always the same: I walk out victorious, but my thoughts are defeated. Because sometimes, playfulness is the sharpest weapon we have.
Thought
So if your brain ever ambushes you with an old, awkward memory while you're washing your hair, don't panic. Laugh at it. Rewrite it. Slice it in half with your own imagination if you have to. Because the truth is, none of us is really losing those shower arguments. We're all undefeated champions in our own imaginary leagues.
