How to Overcome Negative Thought Patterns

Negative thought patterns inside your head are like the winds in J.R.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings — they seem to show up out of nowhere and control your mind, making you edgy and unhappy.

Have you ever felt that way? It’s perfectly normal. The thing is, negative thought patterns aren’t inevitable — you can overcome them.

Keep reading to learn how to conquer these patterns.

Pause a Moment

Pausing a moment to stop and consider our negative thought patterns can be a useful tool to positively overcome a negative mental attitude. Acknowledge and accept the thought as it comes up, but then step back and look at it objectively.

Question the validity behind the assumption and then challenge it. A therapist can help work through any underlying issues and help develop better-coping strategies. See this therapist for depression now to help you get over the negative mentality.

Notice the Difference

Negative thinking can be a difficult habit to break. It can slowly take over your life and make it difficult to move forward. Begin by simply noticing the difference between positive and negative thought patterns.

Whenever negative thoughts enter your mind, take notice and counter them with positive ones. Search for the good in the situation and remember to focus on the present. The more you do this, the more natural positive thinking will become.

Label Your Thoughts

Overcoming negative thought patterns starts by labeling your thoughts. This involves acknowledging and recognizing the thoughts that come into your mind, and the voice in your head that’s creating them.

You can observe your thoughts without judging them. You might be feeling insecure or sad, but it’s important to remember that it’s just a thought and that it does not determine your reality.

Once you label your thoughts, you can then use alternative thinking to challenge them. You can come up with evidence that supports why the thought isn’t true, or create new, more positive thoughts that better match the reality you want to experience.

Choose Your Intention

Choosing your intention to overcome negative thought patterns starts with awareness. Notice what thoughts arise and how they make you feel. Approach negative thoughts with curiosity and kindness instead of judgment.

Determine if the thoughts are reasonable or based on fear. Recognize limiting beliefs that may be constraining you. With practice, replace negative thought patterns with more realistic and balanced ones.

Actively challenge your inner critic while staying connected to who you are and what you want. Remind yourself of your goals, dreams, and values and focus your energy on efforts to achieve them.

Say Goodbye to Negative Thought Patterns

Overall, it’s important to focus on recognizing, challenging, and replacing negative thought patterns. By understanding the source of your negative thoughts, developing positive reframes, and creating supportive coping mechanisms. 

You can break the patterns of negative thinking. Take action now and begin to break through your negative thought patterns and create a happier, more fulfilling life.

Keep reading our site for more advice on how to boost your outlook and confidence during challenging times.