It is easy to get caught up in thinking and behaving a certain way. When we are stuck in a habit it is often because we are stuck in the same thinking pattern. It’s not right or wrong, but it limits us. It limits our ability to replace a habit we do not want with one we do want. Thinking we are a certain way or identifying with a certain action leads us to believe it’s who we are. It is not. That is a thought that limits the amazing potential in each of us.
Take for instance, the habit of overeating when emotionally stressed. If we change the thought behind the habit, a thought like “I always overeat when I’m stressed” to “I eat well regularly when I’m stressed,” it begins to write a new pattern in our minds and lessens the impact of the old thinking pattern.
From experience, I understand the words seem too easy, but it’s in the taking of action toward changing the thinking that impacts the overall outcome. It takes practice and sometimes a push from a friend, a coach, or even a sticky note on your desk as a reminder of the new thought. Combining this with actions like standing up and smiling has an even bigger impact.
I wish it were easy and immediate, but it takes practice, but every time the awareness of the old thought arises, celebrate the awareness. Celebrate every time you say the new thought in your mind or out loud. Every celebration reinforces the new thought, and the mind gets pleasure from the celebration.
The next time I fall into my old thinking habit, I will stand up and put my shoulders back. I may even laugh and feel a little proud for interrupting an old thought that became a habit. I know from 10 months of experience I can do this. I did change an old thought like the example here, and while the old thought isn’t gone, it pops up less often. It’s quieter. I am healthier now and do not eat as much when I’m stressed.
We all deserve to change patterns that harm us, and thinking negatively is one of the most intrusive. This is one place to start to change it.
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