By nature I am an unconscious pessimist, and I believe both feed into each other (that being unconscious creates pessimism [looking for problems/threats in everything] and vice versa). And when I use the word 'unconscious', this means living life with a lack of awareness (autopilot). After taking a class on self-help, I learned about mindfulness. I started utilizing the technique more and more. I loved the way mindfulness gave me new insights about myself, and it was also a much more relaxed way of being (I was, for as long as I can remember, an anxious person).
Sadly, my family life became very tumultuous soon after (it always was, but became much much worse), and my spirit withdrew back into its shell. I may talk about this period of my life sometime in future blog posts, but I prefer to not dwell on those negative experiences. Now when a thought of the past comes about (primarily when it evokes negative emotions), I tell myself that it's "just a thought, it's nothing more or less". And this sort of thinking is a product of my mindfulness, which I have brought back over the last few years, and it has given me some useful insights.
Tip: Recognize a thought when it comes about as it is—a thought. If you correctly label a thought, like correctly labeling a nightmare as a dream, it loses its emotional punch.
My life has been filled with many problems both external and internal—ranging from bullies to domestic abuse and from alcohol abuse to anxiety disorders. And while these problems have occurred, and some of which still haunt me in some form to this day, I see through them with a mindful optimism. I believe that positive thinking and awareness are the keys to overcoming personal demons, and I want this blog to be both a combination of my journey and the insight I have gained throughout.
Sadly, my family life became very tumultuous soon after (it always was, but became much much worse), and my spirit withdrew back into its shell. I may talk about this period of my life sometime in future blog posts, but I prefer to not dwell on those negative experiences. Now when a thought of the past comes about (primarily when it evokes negative emotions), I tell myself that it's "just a thought, it's nothing more or less". And this sort of thinking is a product of my mindfulness, which I have brought back over the last few years, and it has given me some useful insights.
Tip: Recognize a thought when it comes about as it is—a thought. If you correctly label a thought, like correctly labeling a nightmare as a dream, it loses its emotional punch.
My life has been filled with many problems both external and internal—ranging from bullies to domestic abuse and from alcohol abuse to anxiety disorders. And while these problems have occurred, and some of which still haunt me in some form to this day, I see through them with a mindful optimism. I believe that positive thinking and awareness are the keys to overcoming personal demons, and I want this blog to be both a combination of my journey and the insight I have gained throughout.
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