Hey there, it’s great to have you here with me! Today, I want to chat about something super interesting that I came across in a recent podcast episode—emotional reasoning. Ever had those moments where you feel something must be true just because it feels that way? That’s emotional reasoning in action.

Understanding Emotional Reasoning

Let’s break it down a bit. Imagine you walk into a room, and your friend’s expression seems off. Maybe it’s not the usual smiley face you’re used to seeing. Suddenly, you’re convinced they’re mad at you, even though they haven’t said a word. That’s emotional reasoning doing its thing.

Separating Thoughts from Feelings

It’s like our brains have this default setting where we jump to conclusions based on how we feel in the moment. And let me tell you, it can lead us down some pretty wonky paths. But here’s the kicker: our thoughts and feelings aren’t always on the same page.

Take it from someone who’s been there—me! I used to get caught up in this all the time. If someone didn’t say hi to me at the grocery store, I’d automatically assume they hated me. But then I learned about this concept of separating thoughts from feelings, and it was like a light bulb moment.

The Power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

So, here’s the deal. Our thoughts are like little messages that pop into our heads—sometimes in words, sometimes in pictures. And our feelings? Well, they’re the sensations we experience in our bodies. And the trick is to recognize that they’re two separate things.

Now, I’m no therapist, but I’ve picked up a thing or two about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along the way. It’s all about challenging those wonky thoughts and replacing them with more rational ones. Trust me, it works wonders.

Navigating Through Emotional Turmoil

But here’s the thing about feelings—they can be a bit trickier to wrangle. You can’t always logic your way out of a bad mood, right? That’s where the magic of separating thoughts from feelings comes in handy.

Picture this: you’re driving through a roundabout, minding your own business, when suddenly someone honks at you. Cue the internal meltdown as you start berating yourself for being a terrible driver. But wait, let’s hit pause for a second.

Untangling Cognitive Distortions

Sure, maybe you’re not the world’s best roundabout navigator, but does that make you a terrible person? Probably not. By separating the thought (“I’m a terrible driver”) from the feeling (embarrassment, frustration), you give yourself space to breathe.

Embracing a New Perspective

Now, I’m not saying it’s easy. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s a journey. But with a little practice, you can start to untangle those messy thoughts and feelings and regain control over your mental landscape.

And here’s the best part—once you start challenging those cognitive distortions (see what I did there? 😉), you’ll notice a shift in how you perceive the world around you. Suddenly, those little bumps in the road don’t seem so insurmountable.

Conclusion: We’re in This Together

So, the next time you catch yourself spiraling into a pit of irrational thoughts and feelings, take a step back. Separate the thoughts from the feelings, challenge those wonky thoughts with a healthy dose of reality, and watch as your mental well-being takes a turn for the better.

And hey, if you ever need a reminder that you’re not alone in this journey, just know that I’m right there with you. We’ve got this! Catch the full podcast episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMZ5OrUr–E  to learn more!