Negative Thinking Traps!
It appears that negative thinking has become the default in our lives. For many of us, we are focused on all the alarming things that are currently taking place and perhaps thinking the sky is falling. While it is normal to think of worst case scenarios (it's a way of self-preservation), it isn't healthy. What if we paid attention and started recognizing some of the negative thinking traps? Might we be able to redirect our thinking?
Here are some of the Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) that can ensnare us:
1. Making assumptions
"Everyone will hate me at my new job. I just don't know enough."
2. Shoulding
"I'm 30! I should already be married with children."
3. Black/White, All or Nothing Thinking
"If I don't buy my own home by the time I'm 35, I'll never be able to. I'll be renting a shack for the rest of my life."
4. Catastrophising
"If I don't graduate at the top of my class, I'll be considered a failure."
5. Thinking vs Feeling
If I take a dance class, I won't know what I'm doing. Everyone will laugh at me. They'll call me a klutz. What's the point?"
Have you had any of these thoughts?
These thoughts can be either untrue or unhelpful. Next time you have one of these notions, as yourself, "How is this helping me? Is it even true?" Then move on. Change the thought to something else that is indeed more positive in nature.
It is in our best interest to delete the many negative thoughts regaling us on a daily basis, and to replace them with something true and useful.
Slipstream
This is excellent advice especially during these negative times. Finding the good and true in our lives is very important. It's the only way we can be useful to ourselves, our families and friends, and beyond if called upon. Thank you!
Sanatana
I have to admit I've been falling into the negative mind traps. I'm working on it, but recognize the difficulty.
Evangel
You're right. It seems like people have lost their ability to be self-confident. It's no wonder since so much in today's media surrounds selling you stuff to improve your looks, your mind, your brain, your chances of being successful. I recently read where an algorithm on one social media site detected whenever a young woman dumped a selfie and would then automatically feed her ads prompting her to buy makeup. This is the world we live in. People are in fear of failing, not being good enough, not having enough of this or that, and if they get hit with those negative prompts all day long, it will ultimately brainwash them out of reality.
Your suggestions are good and necessary. I hope people will do their best to put them into practice.