The way we think is habitual. Even when we say tomorrow I’m going to eat healthy and exercise more, before long many of us revert back to our old habits. This could be because over the course of time we’ve found it too challenging to continue. It takes effort, perhaps an effort you’re not used to making. Or it could be some unforeseen issue has arisen.
How we think is the miracle cure. Yet if this was easy we’d all be happier and healthier. To know how to think is complex because your emotions are telling you how you feel about any given situation and in turn, you know how you think about it. It’s a catch 22, you feel bad so the situation must be bad. That is not always the case, there are times we can reconfigure our thoughts to change our feelings. This is what I’m currently doing to change how I think.
Examining your thoughts
How many times do we ask ourselves if our thoughts are serving us? Probably never. They’re our thoughts so they must be right. But we’re only bringing the top issues to the surface. For instance, it could be a job loss (such as me) instantly I think it’s going to take ages to find something new, I don’t want to do a job I dislike out of desperation for money and I don’t like change. Ok, so these are my thoughts. Are these thoughts realistic? No. I could get a job instantly if I, A) Applied for 20 jobs a day, B) Accept a job that won’t mean anything to me other than money. There is no knowledge that I would like or dislike a job until I try! Life is about change the sooner I adapt to that the better. You see, by changing how I view these supposed problems, I’ve motivated myself to branch out.
How can you intercept your thoughts?
The old thoughts may well begin to creep back in before the day is through so how to intercept them? You may not be aware of the thoughts but you’ll know the feeling. It can be a heat that spreads across your face. Dread in the pit of your stomach or panic that paralysis’s you. When you find yourself feeling like this, sit yourself down and breathe. Then cross-examine yourself once again. Argue your case. Ultimately its the uncertainty that concerns me but I’m ok. I’ll be ok. I tell myself not to live in the future. Here and now I’m managing and I’m sure next week, next month, next year I’ll manage that too. You and I will be thriving next year.
Can these problems be resolved over time?
The short answer is yes. This is temporary, even Covid 19 is temporary. Things will change again. The most powerful example I can think of is the First World War. The devastation was horrific much like the Second World War. But lasting changes were made after both wars. social, medical and economical advancements. From the First World War, disability was seen for the first time as a disability and not something that was life-threatening. Men and women who were made to stay in hospital could now participate in life. The first cancer drug was found because doctors took it from mustard gas. Women started working, earning their own money and learning to be independent. The changes of these times were everlasting and many social changes needed to be made. When we face difficult times it doesn’t mean we’re going to give up. It means we’re going to evolve. Over time things do get better and through adversity comes advancement.
What steps can I take now to help me start on track now?
Once you know where your issues lie so you can start speaking differently to yourself. Don’t be hard on yourself. Decide that if you can’t change the situation immediately, change the way you think about it and be motivated for when you’re ready for change.
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