Do you ever feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts concerning certain circumstances or events? You’re not alone. Catastrophic thinking, where you assume the worst possible outcome, can spiral out of control.
Years ago, one of the young children my wife babysat used to stress over anything that didn’t work out or go her way. To help her, my wife used to say “It’s not a tragedy!”. Once the child truly understood that, her response to a frustration would be, “It’s not a ‘ta-ge-di’, right?” This simple approach highlights one way to overcome catastrophizing – realizing that while things might not go exactly as planned, it’s not the end of the world.
Today, let’s explore why we catastrophize and some practical techniques to stop the cycle and focus on what we can control.
Today’s Theme: Catastrophizing
Quote
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.”
– Dan Millman
Article
Are you catastrophizing? Here’s how to stop assuming the worst.
Climbing out of the spiral that is catastrophic thinking requires both in-the-moment grounding techniques and big-picture reframing. Focusing on the reality of a situation — and not the story you’re telling yourself — can help blunt the anxiety… [More]
https://www.vox.com/even-better/24055564/catastrophizing-stop-assuming-the-worst-negative-thoughts
Questions
When you find yourself catastrophizing, try out some of the techniques today’s author lists. Additional here are some questions that might be helpful to ask yourself:
- Am I confusing a thought with a fact?
- Am I jumping to conclusions that are unfounded?
- Am I assuming my view of things is the only one possible?
Remember, you are not alone in this. By implementing the strategies in today’s article and adopting a more optimistic outlook, you can break free from the cycle of catastrophizing and face the future with greater confidence.
I hope this helps you or someone else in your circle of relationships!