How a Mel Robbins Interview with Jay Shetty Changed My Life and Why “Think Like a Monk” Needs to Be Your Next Read

When you spend your days on a farm, the rhythm of life feels simple, but your mind can still be noisy. There’s the endless to-do list, the what-ifs, the sense that maybe you’re not quite living to your fullest purpose. That’s exactly where I was when I stumbled onto a YouTube episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast called “A Process for Finding Purpose: Do THIS to Build the Life You Want”, featuring Jay Shetty.

Jay spoke with a mix of calm authority and grounded kindness that made me stop mid-chore, bucket in hand, and just listen. He outlined five steps to lasting change, showing how reflection can transform uncertainty into clarity. He described what it means to “train your mind to become your best friend,” shifting time from a source of stress to a source of possibility. Gratitude wasn’t just a nice idea, it was a daily discipline. Here’s the podcast if you’d like to watch (you won’t be disappointed!):

By the end, I was craving more. That’s when I found Jay Shetty’s book, Think Like a Monk, and it was, without exaggeration, one of the most transformative books I’ve ever read.

What Think Like a Monk Teaches and Why It Sticks

Jay doesn’t just share theories. He actually lived as a Vedic monk for three years, then distilled that wisdom for people like us. People with jobs, families, animals, and responsibilities. The core message is simple: you can live with peace, purpose, and clarity right where you are.

1. Identity & Letting Go of External Noise

The world constantly tells us who we should be through social media, family expectations, even casual comments from strangers. Jay calls this “the noise,” and until you filter it out, your own voice will always be drowned out. You will thrive only when you hear and follow your own.

2. Negativity & Gratitude

Negativity spreads like weeds in a pasture. Leave it unchecked, and it will choke out the good. Gratitude is your daily weeding. It’s active, intentional, and absolutely necessary.

3. Fear & Detachment

Most fear comes from attachment. To outcomes, to identities, to routines. Detachment doesn’t mean not caring, it means caring enough to act without being paralyzed by the result.

4. Intention & Purpose (Dharma)

Your dharma is your passion in service of others. It’s more than a career or a goal, it’s a way of living. When you align with your dharma, even ordinary days feel extraordinary.

5. Routine & Meditation (Breath)

A calm mind is trained, not inherited. Jay recommends a morning practice of waking early, stillness, breath, and reflection to set the tone for the day.

Exercises That Will Change How You Live (Starting Now)

These aren’t vague suggestions. They’re concrete practices you can start today:

1. Daily Silence & Reflection
   Five minutes. No phone, no distractions. Just your breath and your thoughts.
2. Values Audit
   Write down your top five values. Thinking about people you admire and why you admire them is a great way of determining what you value. Then track how you actually spend your time for a week. The mismatch can be startling…and motivating.
3. Spot Negativity, Stop, Swap
   When you catch a negative thought…about the weather, your workload, yourself…pause. Replace it with something constructive. Over time, this becomes automatic.
4. Purpose Journaling
   List moments when you felt fully alive and helpful. Notice the common threads. That’s the direction your life wants to move.
5. Monotasking
   Whether mucking stalls or making coffee, do just that one thing. No multitasking. This builds focus and calms the mind.

How This Applies to Farm and Slow Living Life

Farming is, in many ways, monk training without the robe. The repetitive tasks, the physical labor, the connection to nature…all are perfect opportunities for mindfulness.

• Carrying water with intention becomes a moving meditation.
  
• Feeding animals becomes a gratitude practice, appreciating the simple act of sustaining life.
  
• Watching a sunset over the pasture becomes a moment to detach from productivity and just be.
  

The difference after reading Think Like a Monk is that I no longer rush through these moments. I inhabit them fully. And that has changed everything.

Why You Should Read This Book Now

If you’ve ever felt burned out, unsure of your path, or simply too busy to think clearly, this book will meet you where you are and guide you toward a calmer, clearer version of yourself. It’s not about escaping your life, it’s about finally being present in it.

I normally borrow books through my beloved library card, but Think Like a Monk had a long hold list (and for good reason–it’s that good). I didn’t want to wait, and I’m glad I didn’t. If you want to start right away, here’s how:

• Get the Kindle version (instant access, perfect for those late-night reading urges)
• Get the hardcover or paperback (my pick for slow mornings and note-taking)
• Get the Audible audiobook (ideal for listening during chores or commutes)

Conclusion

In a world that moves faster than ever, Think Like a Monk offers a rare and precious pause. A chance to slow down, realign your values, and rediscover what truly matters. For me, it was a reminder that the joy we find in caring for our farm animals, tending our garden, and living intentionally at BLeaves Farms isn’t just a lifestyle, it’s a reflection of inner peace and purpose. Jay Shetty’s insights are timeless tools for building a life you love from the inside out. Whether you’re chasing a long-forgotten dream, searching for clarity, or simply wanting to feel more grounded, this book is a powerful companion on that journey. If you decide to pick up your own copy through one of the links above, you’re also helping support our work here on the farm. And if you’d like to keep following along with our slow-living adventures, join us on Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram. We’d love to share more inspiration, stories, and a little slice of farm life with you and hear your stories as well!

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