Hey everyone!
Today, I want to dive into something we all face from time to time—those stubborn, unhelpful thoughts that just refuse to leave. Letting go of them sounds great in theory, right? But in practice, it can feel more like you’re trying to release them, and they’re just stuck in your hand, clinging on for dear life.
So how do we actually let go of these thoughts when they won’t budge? I’ve got two strategies that might help. There are plenty more out there, but let’s start with these two and see how they can make a difference.
1. Challenge the Truth of the Thought
First things first, not everything we think is true—especially when it’s something negative or unhelpful. Our feelings can trick us into believing things that feel real but aren’t necessarily facts. To start challenging these thoughts, ask yourself some key questions:
- Is this actually true?
- How do I know this is true?
- Could I defend this thought in a courtroom? (I love this one—it really makes you step back and take a reality check!)
Here’s the thing: if the only reason a thought feels true is because you believe it, that’s not strong enough evidence. We need to go deeper.
Let’s take the classic example of “Nobody likes me.” When you believe that, how do you act? Maybe you avoid people, hang back in the corner, or avoid eye contact. But what if you believed that people did like you? You’d probably act differently—more open, more confident, engaging with others. And here’s the kicker: that version of you is so much easier to like.
By challenging the truth of a thought, you can start to shift how you behave, and in turn, change how things actually play out.
2. Replace the Protection Mechanism
Sometimes, thoughts stick around because they’re actually protecting us from something—failure, rejection, disappointment, you name it. Instead of fighting that protection, what if we replaced it?
Let’s say your thought is, “I can’t do it.” That might be your brain’s way of protecting you from the fear of trying and failing. But guess what? Failure is a natural part of growth.
A new mindset could be: “When I fail (because it’s going to happen, and that’s okay), I’ll allow myself to feel the disappointment, but I’ll also celebrate that I tried and learned something in the process.” You get to decide what you’ll think after a failure—something that helps you bounce back, rather than hold you back.
It’s about feeling the uncomfortable emotions but not staying stuck in them. Shift your focus to what’s next and how you’re going to grow from it.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it—two strategies to help you let go of those unhelpful thoughts: challenge their truth and replace the protection. If you’ve got a specific thought that’s been bugging you, drop it in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to help you work through it.
Catch you later!
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