Exploring the Impact of Believing Our Thoughts on Personal Wellbeing

'I realised deeply, when I believe my thoughts I suffer'

In our fast-paced lives, we are constantly overwhelmed by a stream of thoughts. From simple observations to deep beliefs about who we are, these thoughts shape our daily experiences of life, self and others. But what happens when we choose to believe them? And what exactly is a belief?

A belief is a thought that is repeated continuously. When a thought is repeated often enough, you begin to identify with it, it eventually becomes your 'life story' and it then defines who you are and the choices you make.

"When I believe my thoughts, I suffer" speaks to an important truth about how our mental framework can impact our wellbeing. In this post, we will explore the effects of believing our thoughts on personal wellbeing and offer practical advice on managing this relationship.

The Nature of Thoughts

Thoughts are an inherent part of being human. They come and go, influenced by our past experiences and surroundings. However, not all thoughts serve us well. Many people struggle with upsetting memories and negative self-talk, a common form of self-doubt that can lead to anxiety and depression. Research shows that nearly 70-80% of individuals experience negative thoughts regularly, impacting their overall satisfaction with life and being able to live in the present as memories of the past disturb the present moment.

When we accept our thoughts as absolute truths, we give them the power to dictate our feelings, behaviour and choices. Indeed when we accept our upsetting thoughts as 'our' truth the negative emotions pull at us, this for many means it is a sign the thought must be true. But actually, the opposite is the case, if the emotion is negative it is a sign you are believing 'a lie of the mind'.

For example, believing that "I never do anything right" can cement feelings of worthlessness, making it harder to take action, your life becomes small as you withdraw and live a limited version of yourself. The key to improving our mental wellbeing lies in recognising that thoughts are not facts; not true, they are simply mental events that can be questioned and challenged using the SEJ Process.

The Consequences of Believing Our Thoughts

Believing in our thoughts can create a skewed view of reality and cause us to keep living and repeating the past, firstly as thoughts then as emotional reactions and actions. Take, for instance, the belief "I am not good enough." This mindset can prevent us from seizing opportunities, like applying for a job or engaging in social interactions, which could lead to personal growth. Studies reveal that individuals with a negative self-view are 50% less likely to pursue new experiences.

Furthermore, clinging to negative thoughts can trap us in cycles of rumination. In fact, people who engage in excessive rumination are at a higher risk for depression and anxiety. Understanding these harmful consequences illuminates why it’s vital not to reframe our thinking patterns as positive thinking is limited in its success, but rather to go much deeper and question our thinking and find the truth. Once we find the truth it resonates so deeply within us the negative belief is instantly dissolved. Once dissolved it creates space for our True Self to shine through. Who is the 'True Self' quite simply that which you are without your negative and limiting thoughts, perfect, whole and joyful.

Strategies for Challenging Negative Thoughts

To reduce the distress caused by believing our thoughts, we can adopt several strategies to challenge them. Here are a few effective approaches:

1. Healing and Meditation Group: During this group we meditate to learn how to relax and heal. We also practice mindfulness which allows us to observe our thoughts without judgment. By distancing ourselves from our thoughts, we can recognise them as temporary, rather than absolute truths. Research indicates that mindfulness can reduce symptoms of anxiety by 30% over time. We also meditate to learn how to relax and heal.

2. Keep in mind that every thought can be questioned. Although it's not feasible to scrutinise every single thought, if you find yourself feeling unhappy or unsettled, this negative emotion serves as a warning sign, indicating that you are accepting a false belief from your mind. From this place you can track back from the emotion to the thought.

3. Find the Truth through the SEJ Process: This process involves identifying negative thoughts and finding the Truth. The truth is always constructive and feels good, that's how we know it is a truth. Changing "I always fail" to "I have faced challenges, but I can learn from them" can shift our perspective, but if it doesn't resonate you have what we call in the SEJ Process 'split energy'. But if this statement is your Truth and not just reframing or positive thinking then you are able to deal with life situations from a new and clear perspective, making challenges surmountable.

4. Journaling: Keeping a journal can help clarify our thoughts and reveal harmful patterns. Writing about our 'story' as determined by the mind can help us see what we are saying about ourselves and why we are suffering mentally and emotionally. It can highlight our feelings and become the start of an emotional release. However to complete the process one must enquire into what has been written and question it in order to eliminate suffering and enable mental clarity.

5. Seeking Support: Talking through your thoughts with one of our trained SEJ Consultants helps to provide a fresh perspective. Studies found that sharing experiences can help individuals challenge their beliefs and perceive situations more positively. Our research shows that 90% of people felt empowerment after engaging in the SEJ Process on varied life situations.

   
   

Navigating Our Mental Landscape

Understanding the influence of believing our thoughts on personal wellbeing is an evolving journey. We call it the Self Empowerment Journey (SEJ). By acknowledging that our thoughts do not define us, we can cultivate a healthier relationship with our minds, even understanding the true purpose of our mind - 'the mechanics of our being'. Implementing a technique such as the SEJ Process empowers us to break the 'cycle of suffering'. Ultimately, our goal should be to come to a place of ease, live in joy, and reach our full and true potential as the SEJ Process equips us to navigate life with resilience and joy. To be able to manage ourselves regardless of what life brings our way.

Love Mary x