Rewiring negative thoughts to more positive
Helpful (negative) thoughts
During covid over the many lockdown months for a little escapism one of the things I turned to were physic readings on YouTube. One of the lines the physics often stated before, during or after the readings were along the lines of ‘take what resonates as a guide and leave the rest’.
This too can be used as a strategy to our negative thoughts.
Aim to limit not stop
It would be impossible to stop all negative thoughts in their tracks before they appear and this should not be the goal. Some negative thoughts can be totally fine and helpful to us. Our very survival can largely depend on our thoughts that can act as warnings or to give us pause to second guess risky situations. Therefore, our aim should be to just minimize the unhelpful negative thoughts particularly ones that dampen our self-esteem.
Challenge your thoughts
In other words, recognise all your thoughts but once it is established the thought falls into the unhelpful category (which should be instantaneous) any thought can be challenged. Simply ignoring something doesn’t mean it will cease to exist or to not come back (again and again and again) that’s why I find it is better to ask yourself related questions. Why is this thought presenting now and is it a helpful warning for self-preservation?
Acknowledge fear
Negative thoughts that include your inner critic are both linked to fear. As a species to survive we need to all have some level of fear. We will never be completely without fear as this is part of our survival DNA. All we can do is try and tame our fear and thoughts that are not helpful or can even be harmful originating from both our environments and our inner voice.
If you can make peace with your fear and inner critic all the better. The ideal is to view fear and self-criticism from the lens of them coming from a good place, a place that is warning you to stay as safe as possible to survive. The only problem with this is, if we give in to all our fears and negative thoughts how boring a life would that lead us to live?
Helpful resources
Most of our negative thoughts are likely to fall into the category of our inner critic. As discussed previously in my blog Be Your Best Friend it is possible to calm your inner critic. This is one of the action steps to help you be more comfortable in your own company. Another resource for strategies in helping you calm your inner critic: YouTube video by Julia Kristina on How to Stop A Negative Thought. Julia Kristina has many videos on thinking, feeling and living better.
Progress is different for everyone
Progress is not always linear. You will have good days and bad days like everyone. There will be days when you just want to curl up in bed with the doona pulled up tight. ‘A doona day’ or ‘mental health day’ and that’s ok. That is normal particularly if like me you are an introvert. Introverts absolutely need that recovery alone time in between being out in the world and mixing with people.
Personal example
I recently had a thought enter my mind about a very one-sided friendship from years ago. My thoughts reminded me that my friendship was not valued, and I should have given up way before I eventually did. This thought was not at all helpful. Challenging this thought appearing I asked my inner critic (that I’ve named Constance) ‘why are you bringing me these unhelpful thoughts and memories’? You’re supposed to be my biggest cheerleader and you’re bringing me this?!
Find your voice
Personally, I try to have a little sense of humour going between my conscious self and thoughts that appear randomly. You may prefer to be more serious or firm, it is totally up to you, the important thing is the end goal: Taking note of the resonating helpful thoughts and leaving rest.
Please note:
This is not a sponsored post, all of my posts are sponsorship and affiliate free. Should this ever change in future I will advise close to any sponsored/affiliates mentions.
