05/19/2025
How Are Thoughts, Feelings & Behaviors Connected?
You’ve probably heard that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected—but what does that mean?
Here’s a breakdown:
Thoughts are the interpretations or stories we tell ourselves
Feelings are the emotional (and physical) responses to those stories
Behaviors are the actions we take based on how we feel
And it’s not a one-way street—they influence each other in a continuous loop.
Example:
You think: “They haven’t texted back. I must have done something wrong.”
You feel anxious and rejected.
You pull away or stop reaching out.
That behavior unintentionally creates more distance, reinforcing the original fear that something is wrong.
Why this matters:
When we notice this loop, we’re not trying to "fix" it—we're learning to slow it down. With mindfulness and self-compassion, we can gently ask:
“What am I feeling right now? What story am I telling myself?”
That awareness creates space to respond with care—toward yourself and others.
