The Princess and the Pea: Are Your Thoughts Keeping You Awake?

You have probably heard the story of The Princess and the Pea.

A young princess, sensitive and in tune with her body, feels the discomfort of a tiny pea beneath layers upon layers of mattresses.

As whimsical as the story sounds, it mirrors something so many of us experience: the invisible “peas” under the surface—thoughts that take up space in our minds, uncomfortable feelings or sensations, disturbing our peace, keeping us restless and robbing us of the emotional freedom we deserve.

Is there really a “pea” under your mattress, or is your mind overrun with thoughts that are quietly wreaking absolute havoc on your mental and emotional capacity?

Keep reading to explore some of the common thoughts that might be acting as your own hypothetical pea—and most importantly discover how you can overcome them.

Pea #1: What if I’m Not Good Enough?

This thought can slip under your emotional mattress without you even realising it, slowly creating discomfort. The nagging belief that no matter how hard you try, you are not measuring up. Maybe you compare yourself to others or feel like you are constantly falling short of expectations—your own or expectations of others.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Remember that you are inherently enough—you always have been and you always will be. Take time each day to celebrate your unique strengths and qualities. When you notice this thought creeping in, challenge it by asking, “Says who?” Remind yourself that you are on your own unique journey, and your worth is not determined by external validation or comparison.

Pea #2: What Will People Think?

This is a classic pea that can take up residence in your mind, leaving you tossing and turning over how others perceive you. It is the fear of judgment, the need for approval or the desire to fit into a mold that might not even be yours.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Shift your focus from external validation to internal alignment.

Ask yourself, “Am I living in a way that feels true to me?” If the answer is yes, then what others think doesn’t hold as much power. By owning your truth and embracing your authenticity, you will find that the weight of this thought begins to lift.

Pea #3: I Should Be Doing More

This thought can feel like a never-ending cycle in the fast-paced world of today. The constant pressure to be productive, to achieve more and to never stop moving. The 'should' pea can leave you feeling like you are not doing enough, no matter how much you accomplish.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Recognise that rest is as important as productivity. In the quiet moments, we often find the most clarity. Allow yourself to pause, breathe and be present. Instead of measuring your worth by your to-do list, measure it by how aligned you feel with your purpose. Resting is not lazy; it is necessary for your well-being.

Pea #4: "What If I Fail?"

This pea can keep you paralysed, holding back your dreams and desires. It’s the fear of stepping out of your comfort zone because the possibility of failure feels too overwhelming. The truth is, failure is often just another stepping stone on the path to growth.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Redefine failure.

Instead of seeing it as a dead-end, view it as a detour or a lesson. Failure means you are learning, evolving and moving closer to your goals. Every time you fail, you are one step closer to success. Embrace the possibility of failure as part of the process.

Pea #5: "I’m Not Ready Yet"

This thought can be deceptive.

It keeps you stuck in preparation mode, always waiting for the perfect moment to act, to begin or to step into your personal power. Let me share a secret: there is rarely a perfect moment, or a time we will feel fully ready, and often we feel ready only after we take the leap.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Take imperfect action.

The more you wait for readiness, the more the pea of hesitation grows. Action breeds clarity and confidence. You become ready by starting—by taking the first small step and trusting that you’ll figure things out as you go.

Pea #6: "I Don’t Have Enough Time"

This thought can feel overwhelming, making it seem like there is never enough time to accomplish everything on your plate. It’s a constant source of stress, making you feel rushed, scattered, and unable to enjoy the present moment.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Instead of saying, “I don’t have enough time,” try saying, “I have all the time I need for what is most important.” Prioritise what truly matters and let go of the pressure to do everything. Set clear standards around your time, and practice mindful presence in whatever task you are doing, trusting that you can’t be everywhere or do everything at once. 

Pea #7: "I’ll Be Happy When…"

This thought can keep you in a perpetual state of waiting, always thinking that happiness will come later—when you achieve that goal, find that relationship, or reach some future milestone. It delays your joy and keeps you from fully living in the present.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Happiness isn’t a destination; it’s a state of being you can cultivate now. Practice gratitude for what you already have and find joy in the small, everyday moments. Recognize that while goals and achievements are important, they don’t define your happiness. You have the power to create joy in the here and now.

Pea #8: "Everyone Else Has It All Figured Out"

This thought often creeps in when you feel lost or uncertain. It convinces you that others have their lives perfectly together while you’re still navigating through challenges and doubts.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Remind yourself that no one has it all figured out.

Everyone is on their own journey, facing challenges that may not be visible on the surface. Release the pressure to compare your path to others and trust your own timing. Embrace the idea that growth and learning are part of life’s journey, and it’s okay to be a work in progress.

Pea #9: "I Have to Do It All Myself"

This thought can create a sense of isolation and overwhelm, making you feel like you are solely responsible for everything in your life. It often leads to burnout and emotional exhaustion.

Wild Way to Overcome It: Recognise that it’s okay to ask for help.

You are not expected to carry every burden alone. Whether it’s reaching out to a friend, delegating tasks, or seeking support from loved ones or professionals, allow yourself to receive help when you need it. Remember, true strength comes from knowing when to lean on others.

Pea #10: "I’m Too Much"

This thought can make you feel like your emotions, personality, or desires are “too much” for others to handle. It leads to a fear of being misunderstood or rejected, causing you to shrink yourself to fit into the expectations of someone else.

Wild Way to Overcome It: You are not “too much”; you are exactly who you are meant to be. Embrace your fullness and allow yourself to show up authentically, even if it means not everyone will understand or accept you. The right people will appreciate your energy, passion and uniqueness. Practice self-acceptance and give yourself permission to take up space.

The common thread in all of these “peas” is that they take up space in your mind, creating discomfort that may seem small at first but grows over time. When left unchecked, these thoughts can drain your mental and emotional capacity, leaving you restless and disconnected from your inner peace.

The good news?

You have the power to identify and remove these “peas” from your mental mattress.

Start by acknowledging the thoughts that weigh you down, and then practice the tools of mindfulness, self-compassion, and intentional action to release them.

The next time you find yourself tossing and turning—whether literally or metaphorically—ask yourself: “Is there really a pea under my mattress, or am I carrying thoughts that I can choose to let go of?”

In the end, much like the princess in the story, we all have an innate sensitivity to what’s going on within us, whether we are fully aware of it or not. The key is to tune in and notice the thoughts that disrupt your peace. Once you identify them, you can begin the journey of letting go—freeing yourself from the mental and emotional clutter that no longer serves you.

Take time to reflect, breathe and remember you deserve a clear and calm mind.

The peas do not define you, but how you choose to deal with them does.

By acknowledging and addressing them, you create space for more ease, joy, and connection to your true self.

By identifying these “peas,” you can continue to uncover the hidden thoughts that are draining your mental and emotional energy.

Each thought, like a pea under the mattress, might seem small, but when accumulated, they create discomfort that keeps us from peace.

Remember, you have the power to remove these thoughts and create space for clarity, calm and joy.