Hi friend,
Question this week is — What if the problems you’re having aren’t as “bad” as you’re thinking they are?
Many of us, when faced with something hard have a tendency to jump to worst case scenario about what can happen next.
For instance, something will happen —
you miss a deadline
you wake up late for work
you forgot to lock the front door of the house
…and then all of a sudden, the mind goes sick on you — creating alll of the worst case possible outcomes that can now potentially happen.
Now while it can be healthy to prepare for the worst because it keeps us ahead of what can potentially become a problem….it isn’t so healthy when we’re constantly over analyzing and catastrophizing scenarios in our head about every little thing that goes “wrong.”
This kind of behavior can hinder us along the way— depleting us of our energy, strength, & ability to ever do anything with ease or peace of mind.
The key I have found to combat this habitual way of thinking is the pause method.
The ‘Pause’ Method
The pause method is the act of pausing or slowing down. It’s choosing to deliberately take note of what’s happening right here right now.
It’s asking yourself questions like —
What am I thinking right now?
What is the problem at hand?
Is what I’m thinking true?
What makes it true?
Is there any evidence to prove this is true?
If it’s true, what resources do I have available to me to help get through this?
If it’s not true, can I let go of this thought pattern so that it’s not weighing on me as heavily as it is?
Taking the time to be fully present with what we’re thinking, feeling, experiencing is what’s going to help us to get through almost anything we go through.
It’s through recognizing what’s happening in the moment & being able to distinguish between what’s real and what’s true.
…The thoughts you may be having are real but are they true?
Is the pause method something you can try? Or is there something else that you do that works for you?
How do you combat “negative” thinking?
Just something to ponder on this week if you choose too :)
Sending you blessings & love!
Namaste.