Struggling
Aware of your thoughts but Attached to them
Step 2: Detaching from unhelpful thoughts
When you can notice your thoughts, especially the unhelpful ones, you’ll also be aware that you’re probably ‘attached’ to them. You may take your thoughts very seriously or even feel that they’re part of who you are. That’s fine - to be aware of it is a big step. You can then learn to detach yourself from these unhelpful thoughts later.
If you feel that 'you are your thoughts’, you’re not alone. It’s a common belief that when you’re so attached to your thoughts, that they seems to be part of who you actually are. When they are negative thoughts, this can be particularly harmful.
So how do you detach from your thoughts?
Thought Management can help you detach from your thoughts, and show you ways to let them go.
Pressing Pause
Steps 2 and 3
Step 1 in the previous part of the process helps you become aware of your thoughts - to notice and name them.
The next step is to be able to This can be done with two more simple (but not necessarily easy) steps:
Step 2: Breathe.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. A big one.
Fill your lungs with air and focus on what’s happening in your body as you breath in and out.
Do this a few times and see if you can feel the difference in your body.
Step 3: Connect with Reality
Open your eyes and take a good look around at what’s happening around you.
Notice what people are doing, or saying, or just look at the space around you.
Don’t overlay any judgement as to why it’s happening. Just watch what’s happening around you right now.
These 3 steps will help you ‘Press Pause’ and get some space between you and your thoughts, so you can detach from them.
It’s not easy, this takes time. So please be kind to yourself if it doesn’t happen straight away. Come back to it another time, and try again.
It’s always best to start your practice in low risk situations. Don’t wait for a really big challenge to try a new process like this. Start with a small issue, maybe you get splashed by a car going by, or someone cuts you off in traffic.
Remember to Press Pause using A B C
1) Awareness of your thoughts.
2) Breathe deeply and
3) Connect back to reality.
To learn more about how to detach from unhelpful thoughts, I will be sharing techniques and tools, so make sure you’re subscribed using the link below to stay updated and you’ll receive them direct to your inbox.