Our thinking has a powerful impact on our perception of the world and our own wellbeing. Our thoughts can shape our emotions, influence our behaviour, and even blind us to reality. By becoming aware of our thinking patterns and learning to observe our thoughts without judgment, we can gain more control over our mental states and make choices that align with our values. Understanding the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, and actions is key to cultivating happiness and improving our overall quality of life.

Three prompts

1. What is the story I’m telling myself?
2. Is it true?
3. Am I feeling my thinking?

Resources

• When a Feeling Is Not Really a Feeling
• Brain meta-state transitions demarcate thoughts across task contexts exposing the mental noise of trait neuroticism
• Influence of Neuroticism on Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Adolescents: The Mediation Effects of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies
• Brené Brown on How to Reckon with Emotion and Change Your Narrative
• “Less commas and more full stops.” – Michael Neil
• Personal, Permanent, Pervasive
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brene Brown
• Why Aren't We Awesomer? – Michael Neill, TEDxBend
• Rising Strong, by Brene Brown
• Four Liberating Questions
• Arnold Rimmer
• “This is the true joy in life” – George Bernard Shaw quote
• The Relationship Handbook: A Simple Guide to Satisfying Relationships, by George Pransky
• Anya Pearse, Intuitive advisor and her An Hour of Kindness
• Mark Steadman