3 Steps to Stop Negative Thinking - Newsletter #17
Just the other day, I was catching up over coffee with a dear friend, discussing everything from life updates to career aspirations. Amid our conversation, she mentioned a job opening that seemed tailor-made for her skills and passions—a dream role. Curious, I asked why she hadn't applied yet. Her response struck a chord with me.
She shared, almost whispering, "I don't think I'm good enough." As she listed all the reasons she felt unqualified, I noticed a familiar pattern of self-doubt and fear of rejection. It made me reflect on how often we all succumb to negative self-talk, letting it dictate our actions and hold us back from opportunities.
This conversation reminded me of the pervasive power of negative thoughts, and it underscored why we need to address and challenge them. Our self-talk can build walls that seem insurmountable, but they are often just illusions of our own making.
In your newsletter today:
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3 Steps to Stop Negative Thinking
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Digging Deeper into Self-Talk: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
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Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist? - Quiz
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Discover the Healing Sounds of Solfeggio Frequencies
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3 Steps to Stop Negative Thinking - Mark Manson
Ever feel like you're just swimming in a sea of negative thoughts? Yeah, it happens to the best of us. We get caught up in a whirlpool of self-doubt and worry, but guess what? It’s totally normal, and there’s a way to paddle back to positive shores. I recently stumbled upon some wisdom from Mark Manson that I found super helpful, and I think you might too.
Step 1: Accept Failure As A Natural Part of Life
Here’s the scoop: failing is as natural as breathing. We all set these crazy high bars for ourselves (like earning a certain amount, hitting specific life milestones by a certain age... you know the drill), and then beat ourselves up when we don’t make it. But here’s a thought—what if we just accepted that sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay? It's about holding our goals a bit more lightly and remembering that, hey, we're all just winging it sometimes.
How to Apply It?
Next time you feel down about not meeting your own expectations, take a step back. Think about the goals you set. Are they really set in stone? Maybe it’s time to adjust them and remind yourself that you’re doing just fine.
Step 2: Forgive Yourself - You’re Doing Your Best
We all mess up. It’s part of being human. The key is to forgive yourself the way you’d forgive a friend. Separate your actions from your intentions—most of the time, our hearts are in the right place. Instead of beating yourself up, try to learn from what happened. Each misstep is a stepping stone to doing better next time.
How to Apply It?
Caught yourself in a mistake? Break it down: What was your intention? What can you learn from this to improve next time? Transform that oops into a teachable moment.
Step 3: Stop the Negative Thought Spiral
It's easy to get mad at yourself for feeling negative. But here’s a wild idea: don’t judge your negative thoughts with even more negativity. Feeling insecure? That’s human. Anxious about being anxious? Totally normal. These feelings are part of the messy human experience, and accepting them can help you break free from the cycle.
How to Apply It?
When you catch yourself in a loop of negativity, pause. Remember, it's okay to feel this way. Allow yourself to experience these feelings without extra criticism. It’s about embracing the good, the bad, and everything in between.
So there you have it! Negative thoughts aren’t just obstacles; they’re opportunities to grow and learn about ourselves. By embracing our imperfections and giving ourselves a break, we can navigate life with a little more grace and a lot less stress.
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Did You Know?
Meditation is more than just a relaxation technique—it's a happiness booster!
Research reveals that regular meditation doesn't just calm the mind temporarily; it actually changes the brain in ways that lead to enhanced long-term happiness. By reducing mental clutter and stress, meditation clears the path to joy, making it easier for us to savor the present and embrace each moment with gratitude.
Digging Deeper into Self-Talk: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
After exploring the valuable steps on how to stop negative thinking through Mark Manson's insights, it reminded me of another powerful resource by him.
His best-selling book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, dives deeper into the realm of self-talk and is an excellent read for anyone looking to explore this topic further.
This quote pretty much summarizes the core idea in the book:
“The key to a good life is not giving a fuck about more; it’s giving a fuck about less, giving a fuck about only what is true and immediate and important.”
Here are three key takeaways that resonated with me:
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Find What’s Meaningful to You: Mark drives home the idea that the most productive thing we can do is not to sweat the small stuff but to find and focus on what truly matters to us. It’s about aligning our energy with our deepest values rather than getting caught up in societal measures of success.
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Embrace the Struggles: This book beautifully articulates that life’s true happiness comes from solving problems that are meaningful to us. Accepting and even embracing the struggles that come with our choices leads to a more profound contentment than any superficial success could ever offer.
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Choose Your Battles: One of the most liberating lessons from Mark is learning to pick what we care about. The freedom to not give a f*ck about the inconsequential things allows us to save our energy for the battles that truly define our lives.
For those of you diving deeper into your thoughts and self-talk, this book might just be your next great read. It challenges the traditional narratives of constant positivity, offering a refreshingly realistic roadmap to personal acceptance and understanding.
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Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?
Curious about how you naturally view the world? It's time to peel back the layers and discover more about your outlook on life with this short quiz!
Whether you tend to see the glass as half full or half empty, understanding your inherent perspective can provide valuable insights into how you handle life's ups and downs.
This quiz isn't just fun—it's a fascinating way to learn more about yourself and how your mindset influences your daily experiences.
Take a moment to explore: Are you an optimist, a realist, or a pessimist? The answer might surprise you and open doors to embracing and enhancing your mental wellness journey.
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Discover the Healing Sounds of Solfeggio Frequencies
Solfeggio frequencies are a series of musical tones used in sacred music, including the well-known Gregorian Chants. Each frequency corresponds to a specific sound vibration that, according to tradition, can release emotional blockages and enhance spiritual connections.
Sound healing, through methods such as Solfeggio frequencies, utilizes these vibrations to promote healing and relaxation in the body. This form of healing is based on the principle that everything in the Universe, including our own bodies, is in a state of vibration. Aligning with these vibrations can recalibrate your mental, emotional, and physical health.
