The Neuroscience of Changing Toxic Thinking Patterns (Psych Central)
A very helpful overview of the interplay between our conscious and unconscious minds, and the role our own thoughts play in determining how we act and feel.
Excerpt:
Whether you understand its messages or not, your subconscious continually communicates with you through emotion-based action-signals to let you know where you are in relation to where you want to be. You’re not going to like this, however: Some of the most useful action signals are in the form of painful emotions.
Upsetting emotions, such as disappointment, unmet expectations or fears are useful feedback. They are action signals letting you know you are wired with high standards and want to do better (and are trying to figure out how!). Similarly, feelings of sadness, loneliness, detachment help you get in touch with your inner drives to meaningfully connect and contribute to others and life.
Painful emotions, one can say, are continual reminders that, even though you’re never going to achieve perfection, nevertheless, you are wired to figure out how to consciously live an optimally fulfilling, meaningful life (and, that your thinking patterns may be blocking your efforts, and thus, need your attention).
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