Our thoughts drive our actions and feelings. Every action we take or emotion we feel, whether we are aware of the thoughts behind them or not, comes from our thoughts.
At times, we can justify our actions based on our morals (standards of right and wrong) and principles (basic truths that guide our beliefs or behaviors).
Other times, we can’t explain our actions, usually because our subconscious mind steps in when we aren’t fully aware of the thoughts influencing us. Recognizing our thoughts is the key to changing them.
Increasing our awareness of our thoughts can be achieved through mindfulness. This practice involves carefully reflecting on our feelings and actions, allowing us to understand our habits, beliefs, and morals.
With this awareness, we can modify our thoughts and guide our actions toward more positive outcomes. To change our thoughts, we must:
Acknowledge our thinking. Understand why we think in certain ways. Evaluate whether our thoughts bring positive or negative results. Find solutions for our thinking and choose which thoughts to follow.
Changing thoughts requires us to heighten our awareness by exploring our subconscious and bringing our thoughts to the forefront. This can be done by observing ourselves—our behaviors, thoughts on specific topics, and habits—while being honest about where our thoughts come from.
To start this journey, we need to stay present and aware of our thoughts in the moment. This will help us be conscious even when we are not fully aware.
Mindfulness enhances our understanding of our inner experiences. By focusing on the present and accepting our feelings and thoughts, we can learn to observe our thoughts without criticism. We can notice when our minds drift and gently bring our attention back.
This greater self-awareness can help us spot negative thought patterns and self-talk, allowing us to challenge them kindly and constructively. Mindfulness can be practiced in various ways, and when it comes to changing thoughts, here are a couple of exercises.
Meditation Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to simply breathe. Avoid screens, distractions, and coffee. Find a quiet space to sit or lie down. Focus solely on your breathing and accept your surroundings. Inhale deeply and release when you feel ready.
Meditation helps us manage our thoughts. Thoughts can be powerful, and we often believe them without question. By allowing our thoughts to simply be, we can gain better control over them.
Concentrate on your breathing. When we ignore our thoughts, they can become overwhelming, which is why meditation is important. We need to sit with our thoughts and accept their presence, and breathing helps us do this.