Monkeys. Getting tempted by bananas. But not giving into the temptation of bananas.

That could effectively summarise the content posted by my favourite YouTube channel currently. Dubbed ‘Monkey Mind 101’, the general premise here is not too dissimilar to what you get on many channels promoting mindful living.

Topics include the likes of cultivating good sleeping routines, understanding that procrastination doesn’t really stem from laziness, and also how the overstimulation that comes from prolonged social media use can cause intense fatigue.

But here’s where Monkey Mind 101 flips the script slightly: It rarely ever turns the spotlight on you, the viewer.

Instead, we watch ‘Monkey’ live life via a narrator with a good sense of humour. Most importantly, the script here is intentionally dumbed down (English articles like “a” and “the” are occasionally optional).

It’s brilliant: The conveyance of more profound topics with simpler language and easy-to-understand metaphors.

I think what ultimately helps is that these concepts are illustrated with reliance on a non-human protagonist.

Self-help videos with a human speaker staring straight into your eyes and addressing you as - well - “you” can sometimes create a certain weight that may pressure you into immediate action… but then also not result in lasting impact, nor repeated views.

I know I would happily rewatch any of the Monkey Mind 101 videos for their entertainment value. And also because they fall under the “turn off your brain and simply watch” category.

Happy watching everyone - and don't let your monkey mind rule your life. 

- Matt