🍵: How To Let Go of Negative Thought Patterns (and Create a Better Life)

If you’re like most people, you have a love-hate relationship with your thoughts.

You love the positive ones that make you feel good but hate the negative ones that seem to bring you down.

The problem is, you can’t have one without the other.

Your brain is wired to think both positive and negative thoughts.

The good news is, you don’t have to be a victim of your thoughts.

You can choose which thoughts to focus on and which ones to let go of.

When you let go of negative thought patterns, you open up the possibility for a better life.

Here’s how to do it.

Recognize that you have negative thought patterns

The first step to letting go of negative thought patterns is recognizing that you have them.

This may seem obvious, but it’s not always easy to see our own patterns of thought.

Pay attention to the way you talk to yourself throughout the day.

Are there any recurrent themes?

Do you find yourself ruminating on certain problems or dwelling on past failures?

If so, those are signs of negative thought patterns.

Negative thought patterns are usually rooted in fear: fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of change.

They exist because our brain is hardwired for self-preservation.

In prehistoric times, this served us well by helping us avoid dangerous situations.

But in modern times, these fears are often irrational and prevent us from living our best lives.

Once you’ve identified your negative thought patterns, it’s time to start reframing them.

This means changing the way you think about yourself and your situation.

Instead of thinking “I’m never going to amount to anything,” try thinking “I’m doing the best I can.”

Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” try thinking “I can do this.”

It may sound simplistic, but changing your self-talk can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself and your ability to achieve your goals.

Gratitude is one of the quickest and easiest ways to let go of negative thoughts and create a better life.

When you’re feeling down, make a list of all the things you’re grateful for in your life — no matter how small they may seem.

This will help shift your focus from what’s wrong in your life to what’s right.

As an added bonus, gratitude has been shown to increase happiness and well-being over time!

If you want to create a better life for yourself, start by letting go of negative thought patterns.

Recognize those patterns when they arise and consciously choose to reframe them in a more positive light.

Practice gratitude regularly, and soon you’ll find yourself feeling happier and more optimistic about the future!