02/03/2022
There is a raisin in my cake.
The automatic mental filter that means we attend the negative and eliminate or discount the positive aspects of our experiences. The raisin in our cake.
This unhelpful thinking pattern is a cognitive distortion. In other words, it is a habitual way of thinking that is often inaccurate. These thought patterns can trigger negative emotions that, in the work I do, interfere with your relationship with food.
The first step in overcoming these unhelpful patterns of thinking? Notice them. By noticing the thought we can intercept with a more supportive and helpful way of thinking.
Things that have helped me include; gratitude practice, using the word ‘and’ to help me reframe a mistake and practicing ‘I approve of myself because…’ statements.
Other supportive questions we can ask when we catch ourselves focusing on the negative include…
‘If my best friend was thinking this way, what would I say to them?’
‘Five years from now, when I look back on this, will I look at this situation differently?’
‘Is there any evidence that what I am thinking is true?’
Embracing imperfection is a form of freedom.
