Have you ever paused to count the negative thoughts that flit through your mind each day? You know the ones: “I can’t…” “What’s wrong with me?” “I just don’t get it.” “Nobody likes me.”
Our minds are a whirlwind of activity, generating an estimated 60,000-80,000 thoughts daily. The unsettling part? Roughly 80% of those thoughts are negative. Yes, even if you consider yourself a positive thinker, a subconscious stream of negativity likely runs beneath the surface.
But here’s the good news: Awareness is the first step towards freedom. By identifying these negative thought patterns, we empower ourselves to make a conscious choice to disempower them.
Moving from unaware to aware to actively choosing a different path is a transformative journey. It requires self-discovery, vulnerability, and a fierce desire to break through the barriers that hold us back. It’s about moving from “playing small” to living our dreams in vibrant, technicolor glory.
3 Simple Steps to Untangle the Threads:
- Identify: Start by noticing your negative thoughts. Write them down when they arise. Look for patterns – What triggers them? What themes emerge? Common culprits include “all-or-nothing” thinking, catastrophizing, and disqualifying the positive.
- Reframe: Challenge those negative thoughts. Are they really true? What evidence do you have to support them? Can you think of alternative, more positive interpretations? For example, instead of “I’m a failure,” try “I’m learning and growing through this experience.”
- Step Away: Don’t engage in a battle with your thoughts. When negativity arises, acknowledge it, reframe it if possible, and then let it drift away. Try visualizing yourself stepping away from those thoughts or imagine them floating away like leaves on a stream.
Remember, this is a process. Be patient and kind to yourself. Each time you catch a negative thought, you’re strengthening your ability to choose a more positive path.
Are you ready to untangle the threads of your inner critic and embrace a brighter, more empowered mindset?
Join me for my free online Masterclass, RADIANT BOLD AGING, 3 Transformative Practices to Ignite Passion & Joy in Your Life Everyday. June 7, 10am (MT). To Register: RADIANT BOLD AGING
Dare Boldly 
Ah, the power of positive thinking! Were it so simple. And then there is the
“Ya, but …” conundrum. Throw in an individual’s ability to justify their actions, thoughts and this is a recipe for negativism at its best.
However, being the eternal optimist, practice, practice, practice and the art of turning negative stuff into a positive thing, is a good thing. One just needs to stick to it rather than give up practicing.
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So true Iwona — I am working with — if I do this X (which is the opposite of what I am striving for but the critter is urging me to not do what I want) then I am not walking in my integrity. I deserve to walk in my integrity.
It’s all about keeping my promises and commitments to myself! 🙂 ❤
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