How’s Your Thinking?
2021 might have been a gift for us in some ways. Wait, hear me out on this. It was the year we slowly and gently got back on our feet. It was the year we realized this horrid COVID has not yet gone away. And the year we learned, or maybe just stepped into, our resilience.
2021 was oh so hard, and for many of us, we may accidentally make it harder on ourself by stumbling into a habit of distorted thinking. [Raising my hand over here!]
Check out these examples of distorted thinking:
1. "2021 was just as bad, if not worse, than 2020. My life will never get better." (Fortune-Telling)
2. "I lost a job that I loved due to freaking COVID. All other jobs suck and I'll never enjoy work again." (All or Nothing Thinking)
3. "These past two years hit me really hard and I can't get out of my slump. I'm a failure." (Labeling)
4. I've had to be much more cautious than my friends and family members because of COVID. Everyone thinks I'm crazy and won't want to continue being my friend after this." (Mind Reading)
Have you struggled with any of these types of thought distortions?
Thought distortions are unhelpful habitual ways of thinking that are more times than not - false. They usually have a negative bias and leave your body feeling...yuck. Whether we realize it or not, our bodies carry the emotional impact of our thoughts. For example, have you ever felt rejected by a friend or colleague and later noticed a punched-in-the-gut feeling that lasted all day? Or after realizing you made a mistake on an important assignment, that feeling of failure registers in your body like a tightness in your chest or burning ears. Our bodies, minds and emotions are all intertwined and it's important to remember that.
What you think and how you feel will show up in your body.
So as we move forward in this new year, keep an eye on any thought distortions you might be having. Just take note of them. Then, try speaking a little truth into them.
Let's try that again:
1. "2021 was pretty terrible for a lot of legitimate reasons. I can be hopeful that 2022 will be marginally better and remind myself of my resilience when/if things get difficult again."
2. "It's a huge loss that I lost a job I really loved. And I know that if I really enjoyed a job once, there will be another that I can enjoy in the future. I just need to keep pursuing."
3. "Just because these last two years hit me hard doesn't mean I’m a failure. I can always start again, and even learn from what worked and what didn't work well for me."
4. ~Your turn. Try to change this distortion from above into a much kinder, more accurate thought.~
Friend, 2022 may be your best year yet.
May it be filled with Jesus and healing. And if you think therapy could help you in this season, reach out any time by calling 678-653-2859 or visiting our counseling website and tapping "Make An Appointment." We are ready for you!
Warmly,
Alexandra Thompson and Cumberland Counseling Team
