05/25/2023
We all fall prey to negative self-talk. Learning about ourselves, and being more AWARE of ourselves, i.e., our thoughts, help us to “reframe” those thoughts immediately.
This is a practice with strength-based outcomes, if practiced all of the time.
In the beginning, it seems monotonous, but in a short time, we notice a change in mood if we keep at it.
CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, can be described in a nutshell:
We have an event, then an automatic thought. Automatic thoughts come from our subconscious. If we notice a “mood shift” and immediately ask ourselves what was I just thinking? … we can stop the negative mood be “reframing” our thought. For example: I can’t possibly get out of bed. Change the “thought” (keeping it simple … remember, it’s only a thought), to: I CAN get out of bed … then do it.
Here’s CBT in a nutshell:
1. Thought or event
2. Becomes our “feelings” or mood shift
3. Feelings are felt in our body, notice where
4. Feelings become an emotion(s)
5. Behavior … what do we do about the thought?
Well, we can give into it and go down the rabbit hole and feel out of control, sad, mad, etc. OR
REFRAME the thought.
Another example: I’m a failure
REFRAME: I AM NOT a failure.
Reframing negative self-talk is a simple exercise, albeit, monotonous, but until those thoughts are changed (which, by the way is YOU changing your neural pathways in your brain - biology - ) and if practiced diligently, can bring lasting peace and gives you control over the cognitive distortions (negative thoughts) that come to us because we are human. We all have them , but in different degrees.
🍀💚🍀
