mental miles

The childhood self is a useful guide, but unhelpful thinking leads to feeling stuck and detours.

Perspective

What were you passionate about as a child? I used writing to express my inner world and desired to write articles for local magazines. When I became interested in mental health and its impact on relationships, limiting beliefs kept me from getting started.

I thought, “I can’t write about mental health; I’m not an expert.” This belief led to a twelve year journey of becoming an expert. I earned a master’s degree, and received formal training as a mental health therapist.

Ironically, becoming an anxiety specialist taught me that my journey was driven by all-or-nothing thinking. The real issue wasn’t my inexperience, but the limiting beliefs about who was qualified to share their voice.

Left untreated, unchallenged anxious thoughts can prevent you from pursuing the life you have always imagined.

The life you want begins with recognizing and challenging the thinking patterns that hold you back from taking action.

Evidence-based Insight

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), distorted thinking is challenged by identifying and examining evidence for and against it. For example:

1. Label the thought: “I can’t write about this; I’m not an expert.”
2. What evidence supports this thought? “I’m not qualified in this field.”
3. What evidence contradicts this thought? “I am passionate and knowledgeable about the topic.”
4. Consider alternatives: “I can research and approach this with curiosity.”
5. Re-frame the thought: “I can start sharing what I know as I keep learning and growing”.

Reflective Question

How have you honored the passions or curiosities of your childhood self?

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Thanks for reading!