Ask Yourself This Next Time You’re In a Negative Headspace
A few weeks ago, I was working on something for my website that required me to use a new software.
The whole experience, to put it lightly, was driving me insane. I started out strong. Excited about what I was creating and hopeful that it would help people. But everything was taking ten times longer than it should’ve due to (in my opinion) poor design.
Every question I asked to the customer service representative would warrant the response “Unfortunately we do not have that feature at this time”. After about 5 unresolved messages in a row from Mia (bless her), the company rep, I was seething.
Here were some of my thoughts…
“This is stupid”
“If you’re going to be charging a PREMIUM, have a better service. It’s not that hard”
“I should have gone with a different company”
“What was I thinking!? Couldn’t I have done more research before I purchased this!?”
Into…
“I make all the wrong decisions”
Woah. I literally stopped myself in my tracks. Caught in the act and noticing all the negatively charged thoughts I was thinking.
The more mature part of me said “You know? You’re making this way more difficult for yourself than it has to be”
The more you focus on the negative, the more negative you will see. Just like the more you focus on solutions, the more creative your solutions will become.
I slowed down. I started to breathe. Deciding right then and there to choose a different thought pattern.
This brought an immediate softening. An exhale. I started calmly (and with much less urgency) looking for solutions as opposed to focusing on the frustrations.
Here’s what I started to say instead…
“You’re resourceful”
“You’re creative”
“Find a loophole. You’re good at that”
I wasn’t blinded by my negativity. I wasn’t consumed by my frustrations. Would I have designed this software differently? Yes. 100%. Haha. But this is my current reality. So what am I going to do with it? How can I make it better for myself? I can start with my thoughts.
Next time you’re caught in a stressful situation ask yourself: Are my thoughts making this experience better or worse?
Change the channel. Flip the script. Get on a different train of thinking.
The situation doesn’t change, but your ability to navigate it does. Invite grace in. And unclench your jaw while you do it. You have it in you. xx
with love, jewels
P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below if this blog post felt useful or share your own experience with negative thoughts. xx