Intrusive Thoughts & Overthinking: Separate Yourself from Your Thoughts

I love the silly voices idea. I immediately went to helium balloons in my head. Like, writing negative thoughts down and reading them off in helium speak. Just like Bogarts in Harry Potter, seeing them in a silly light takes away their power. Brilliant!

Hi Julia! Senior Shifter Chris here! I really love today’s video, Intrusive Thoughts & Overthinking: Sperate Yourself from Your Thoughts. I am an overthinker! This was such a great reminder to help separate ourselves from our thoughts, become neutral and to look for other thought options, especially thoughts that are helpful, healthy, serving and productive. Being a shifter, I have learned so much information and sometimes I can just forget just how many tools I have – so this is a nice reminder! One example I can give is when I did a commission art piece for an ice cream shop. The owner did not like my first attempt and even called it “Clip art” which could have been insulting – especially since I totally disagree, I think that piece that I did was more artistic if anything, I was finding inspiration from vintage print ads and I painted as such. However, I didn’t take it personally and I didn’t overthink it, we just communicated more and I knew now (and even agreed) what he wanted. He wanted a character(s) with more personality and movement. That is what I did. He liked that. I got paid. Done. The old me would have thought I was no good and ruminated about how much he didn’t like my first attempt and I would have stayed stuck and that and I would have not been able to pull back and look at it from a neutral place. Here are my notes: *Cognitive diffusion: A skill or technique that is primarily used to detach, separate or get some distance from our thoughts and emotions. (@thephycologygroup) (Not fusing every thought that comes into our mind) *Intrusive thoughts can be thoughts that you take things personally, or critical and self-judgement thoughts. *Overthinking can be ruminating thoughts (Oh I shouldn't have said this, I should have said this instead…etc…) *To separate ourselves from thoughts, we need to zoom out and look at things more neutrally and look at other options or thoughts that are helpful, healthy, serving and productive. What we can do to develop cognitive diffusion: 1. Notice our thoughts as thoughts. (I noticed I am having the thought that…) 2. To recognize that we ALL have an inner critic. (You are not your thoughts; you are the thinker of your thoughts.) You can also give your critical voice a name. 3. Say your critical thoughts in a silly voice. (It will help you see the absurdity of your critical thoughts and it will bring you laughter.) 4. Picture a dear friend that you love, value and respect, coming to you with the same situation you are going through. (Give yourself compassion and understanding as you would a friend) 5. Wipe off the icky! (Physically wipe off the icky from your body) 6. This is a thought. Is this thought Helpful? (We don't have to believe everything we think.)

Love this! ❤️ I feel like I latch on to my first negative intrusive thoughts. I catastropize. I have been fighting this for 40 years. It's so draining. This is helpful to even consider my thoughts or conclusion is not necessarily the truth!

I think most times is not about a cognitive coping skill. Most times is a dysregulated nervous system (your body) sends those thoughts to your mind. Therefore a somatic skills need to be put in place. Respectfully, My point of view.

I am this! My thoughts run crazy then I believe them until I become a nervous, worried wreck.

We need more people like your Auntie Ruth

I need to listen to videos such as this to keep reminding me of what's going on. I'm grateful for your clear and confident explanation!

I really love this video!! My biggest struggle lately has been if I notice a pretty girl and notice my husband looking at her, it automatically makes me super insecure and my mind goes to town with so many awful thoughts. I wish you can make a video specifically for married couples💕. Thank you for all you do!!

But how do you stop overthinking when you know your thoughts are true?....

This subject is definitely one i am interested in researching and learning. I would love to be free of these negative and hurtful thoughts.

Great video! Thanks

Love this

Thank you Julia, helpful as usual Will 🇬🇧

❤ thank you

Thanks Julia really helpful tools to manage those unhelpful thoughts

I’m Gertrude from Ghana. I’m new here . I need to manage my anger or I may lose all my relationships 😢

Hello Julia!! Happy Thursday my friend, this is a great and informative video, thanks for this ❤

Hi Julia! You make me feel good to see you

So so needed this, i am soooo tired of these thoughts.

Glad I found these videos,