We all experience anxious thoughts from time to time but there is a way to make them work in your favour
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get rid of the negative, anxious voice in our head?
We’re not talking about the one that warns you of taking certain risks – like looking both ways before you cross the street. You should definitely listen to the sensible voice!
No, we’re talking about the voice that makes you doubt yourself, that makes you want to stay inside your shell rather than look outside and see everything the world has to offer.
That voice can feed your anxiety and create a life where you always stick to what you know rather than trying something new in case you fail.
It’s no way to live your life – and thankfully there is something you can do about it!
It’s called ‘reframing’ and it means taking those anxious thoughts and changing their meaning.
Here are a few examples:
Anxious Thoughts
Reframed Anxious Thoughts
- What if I fail?
- What if everyone laughs at my idea?
- What if I have a terrible time?
- What if they think I'm weird?
- What if I never achieve my goal?
- What if I succeed?
- What if they think it's great?
- What if I have the time of my life?
- What if they end up being my best friends?
- What if knowing that I tried is good enough?
The next time your negative voice pipes up that you shouldn’t try something, change the ‘what if’ to a positive outcome and have faith that it will work out for the best.
Even if it doesn’t, you can be proud of yourself for trying!
For more information on topics like this, check out the following articles:
What is a panic attack and what can you do about it?