I never realized that my mind was so stuck in negative thinking until I started a mindfulness practice. Not until I started paying attention to my thoughts did I noticed this constant negative tendency of my thoughts. This big Aha moment got me curious about exploring how my brain works.

Is my brain creating these patterns of negativity? Am I responsible?

In my quest to answer this question, I have read many books. I concluded that the answer is both. I am responsible and my brain is also responsible.

The negative nature of the human brain

The way our brain works creates more attention to negative things that are positive or neutral. Our brains have a natural tendency to be stuck in negativity because that is how it has evolved to protect us from external dangers.

Another big Aha moment was when I found out that the human brain promotes addictive behaviors. My negative thinking has to do some part in how my brain works to protect me and also how I reinforce negative thinking with my actions.

Every decision I make every day can lean towards negativity, positivity, or neutrality. The more I paid attention to pessimism or stressful thinking, the more it gets wired in my brain.

Whether or not we like it, we are all conditioned to follow our thinking addictions. Most of the time, we are not aware of these addictions’ essential role in our happiness and well-being.

We are always looking for what feels right, predictable, and safe.

We avoid things that feel scary, unpredictable, dangerous, and too challenging. We even create stories in our minds to sustain these emotions as valid.

These feelings and emotions are all determined by how your brain processes information and the stories’ interpretation.

Identifying your thinking addictions can give you a new light into your thinking world. It can be so freeing and self-empowering when you catch yourself in them. For me, the most important realization of my thinking addictions is that once I have been able to identify them, they have lost their mental grip.

I know now that my thinking patterns are not who I am. They are just a result of how my brain and how it has been following negativity that I learned in my life. Some patterns I created and others I was not aware that I was making them.

Most importantly, my thinking addictions don’t have to determine my life. I have the power to reinforce other thoughts that work better for my well being. You also can become aware of your thinking addictions and experience this freedom.

Mindfulness of thoughts: Common thinking addictions

Today I will share three thinking addictions that I have seen the most in myself and others.

What is wrong? This addiction is about being obsessed with what is not working well in your life. This one is all about focusing on what is missing from the picture. It gets obsessed with what needs to change and finding problems all the time.
What is the answer or solution? This addiction is about focusing on the things that you need to know. We are more addicted than ever in gathering and collecting information to get an outcome. Our emphasis is on finding a quick solution so we can feel in control.
Why is it not perfect? This thinking addiction is the need for perfection and the need to stand out from others. A mistake is a failure. We live such narrow-minded lives that we only see what is in front of us, and if it is not how we want it, we label it as wrong.

Write down these thinking addictions and pay attention during this week on your thoughts.

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Start with mindfulness for psychological flexibility

Happy Meditator - Practical Mindfulness and MeditationBy Tamy KhanJul 08, 2020