Can thoughts feel distant?
Short Answer
Yes. In mindfulness, thoughts can feel like background noise instead of the center of reality. This distance often reduces stress because thoughts no longer feel identical to truth.
Why This Matters
Most suffering comes from being fused with thoughts rather than having thoughts. Mindfulness creates a gap between thought and action, which reduces rumination and reactivity. That gap is where choice appears.
Where This Changes
If observing thoughts becomes over-analysis, shift to a sensory anchor (breath, sound) or to open awareness. The goal is clarity, not endless mental commentary about the mind.