What to Do About Scary Thoughts
Do you have scary thoughts? Do you find that your thoughts have a way of impacting your functioning, either by causing intense anxiety or by taking away time that you could be doing other things? For many people, their thoughts can become intrusive, entering their minds at the least opportune moments and then sticking around like a bad habit. Do you try to manage these thoughts by either avoiding the things that trigger the thoughts or by acting out scenarios which help you control the thoughts?
I work a lot with moms, and a common scary thought I hear is, “I worry I’m going to hurt my baby.” For some people they may worry they’re going to drop their baby or hurt their baby on purpose. These thoughts are very distressing and scary for moms when they are working very hard to keep their babies safe. For many, they must go to great lengths to control their thoughts, either by re-arranging their lives, like a mom who avoids cooking with knives for fear they will hurt their baby, or by constantly asking for reassurance from a loved one.
If this is resonating with you, please know that you are not alone. Good people have scary thoughts. Good moms have scary thoughts. Having a thought does not mean that you will act on said thought. A thought does not equal reality.
When we learn to separate our thoughts from truth, we begin to see our thoughts as just passing clouds in the sky. Thoughts come…thoughts go, just like our breath goes in…and out. When we start to see our thoughts as coming and going, thoughts start to lose their power. Of course, this work is hard. If it were as easy as thinking our thought were clouds, then you’d already be cured :)
It can be a huge struggle to gain control over thoughts that have gotten out of control. I help my clients get clarity over their thoughts, recognize their triggers, and stop a cycle of avoidance and/or compulsive behavior. My clients start to live a life in accordance with their values and start to feel better. If you would benefit from working with me to get a hold on your thoughts, reach out, I’m here to help!
