Saying "NO!" to Negative Thinking

May 3, 2020

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, I was chosen to take part in the Texas Campaign for Soba Recovery, I would like to touch on a subject that was quite difficult for me many years ago. Once I learned the two-letter word, NO - I felt empowered over my own negative thoughts. 

Today's topic is, "Saying "NO!" to Negative Thinking" 

Each one of us has been groomed one way or the other by our parents, society, people in power, or life itself. It is quite easy to allow life situations to dictate our outcomes. Not always the case, but more times than not it is...

In my personal life, situations around me dictated who I had become. They dictated how I thought, and how I acted. I did not like it. I did not like myself. I had to get ahold of my life in a fast way before I completely spun out of control. In order for me to accomplish this feat, I had to strip back every layer one by one of the situations that had occurred in my life from as far back as I could remember in order to be set free from the internal negativity and self-doubt that I lived with on a daily basis. All I knew was negative thinking. It was all around me. It consumed me. Twenty-four, seven...

Some of these situations looked like rejection, abandonment, drugs, alcohol, pain, angst, rage, sexual molestation, failed marriages, lost hopes, mental health issues, lost dreams, no self-worth, guilt, failure as a person, hopelessness, no reason to live, and low self-esteem just to name a few. 

At times, people become people of circumstances. We do things from a place of pain and wanting to be accepted one way or the other. Negative thinking is one way we self-sabotage ourselves when all we have heard is, we are not good enough. 

Did you know that negative thinking is often a symptom of depression and bipolar disorder (manic depression)? These illnesses can make it more difficult to see things in a positive way, feel hopeful about the future, or believe your life is worthwhile. Illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder cause Cognitive distortion, which means many of our negative thoughts may not be completely true, and some may not be true at all. These thoughts might be automatic and lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness before we are aware of them. 

What can we do about negative thinking? We cannot just "think positive" and overcome our mood disorder. But we can learn to spot negative thoughts, see them for what they are, and confront them with more realistic ideas. Let us break this down from us to I. Ask yourself this question: 

What Can I Do?

1. Learn the types of negative thinking. Pay attention to your own thoughts and look for this type of thinking.

2. Find reasons your negative thoughts are not based on reality (rational response).

3. Change your thoughts to something more realistic based on rational responses.

4. Keep track of your thoughts and feelings in a journal calendar.

5. Ask friends for help recognizing negative thoughts.

There are many types of negative thoughts. Some include:

• Thinking things are all good or all bad: My friend did not agree with me... he hates me.

• Coming to general conclusions based on a few examples: I had a bad week at work, so I need to quit.

• Believing you know what other people think and feel about you: People think I am stupid.

• Expecting disaster: I will not get this job because nothing good ever happens to me.

• Believing everything around you are a reaction to or because of you: My spouse is in a bad mood; I must have done something.

• Believing you or those around you should act or feel a certain way: I should be able to get over my fears or people should have more patience.

• Labeling: I am a loser.

Sounds easy enough, right? It is not. These things will not be easy right away. It will take some practice before you are able to spot negative thoughts and form rational responses easily - do not give up even if you are tempted to. 

Learning how to turn negative thoughts into positive ones is not a need, but a tool for survival.  Once we change our mindset, life will begin to turn around. I will not lie to you though...it does take work on your part. It may mean removing certain things, people, and or places from our lives.         

If we want a different result, we must be willing to do things differently. Thinking is no different. In order to begin feeling good about ourselves, we MUST change the way we think daily. Why not start today? 

Whether you are dealing with alcoholism, drug addiction or mental illness, Soba Recovery wants to help you. 

Soba is staffed with 24/7 doctors; nurses and residential techs who look over and care for the clients around the clock. We have an in-house chef and cleaning service that work together and clean the facilities multiple times a day, 7 days a week. 

Soba Recovery would like to spread awareness that they are still here and running - even when it feels like you have nowhere to go fighting your addiction - you do.

Soba Recovery is a safe place (and clean). 

Soba is licensed through the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).

Over the years, Soba Texas has helped hundreds of families, locally and beyond, battle the horrific aftermath of addiction, they have saved hundreds of lives. 

The Soba Recovery mission unites clients with their loved ones and helps them regain the tools they need to continue to live a prosperous and sober life. 

Soba has a very simple admission process with addiction specialists on standby 24/7. Here is the direct admissions helpline 866-547-6451 and their website is https://sobarecovery.com        

    "It's never too late for a new beginning in your life"

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