The Best Way to Break the Train of Negative Thoughts

We’re responsible for our decisions

I want to talk about breaking negative cycles, and I will try and tread this topic as carefully as possible. Inevitably when talking about this kind of subject, Depression comes up.

I don’t feel like I can speak about it with any authority. All I can really talk about are my experiences.

However, I want to talk about this to keep this kind of thing from being brought up. Especially on social media feels negligent to me. I want to see human beings. I don’t want to see perfect people all the time.

I feel like whenever I’ve fallen into a negative cycle. It’s almost like the rules change, I’m not thinking clearly and not operating at my best.

Identifying and breaking out of a cycle. This is the most important thing to focus on in that situation.

I think it’s essential for me to repeat that I know there are people out there who have suffered way more than I have or ever will.

Honestly, considering the privileges that I’ve at my disposal. Overall, I’ve had a really good life.

I think it’s very, very easy for all of us to fall into negative traps, destructive habits, and toxic interactions.

I recognize that I’m an empathetic person, sometimes too sensitive. This is an essential experience for me to have, for me to grow and to toughen up a little bit.

I need to repeat that I’m not a psychologist, and this isn’t even close to a replacement for professional help.

Change in Environment

My definition of environment comes in two parts. Internal and External.

External Environment

• Your physical space
• People that you interact with
• The things you expose yourself to. (experiences like a concert)

Internal Environment

• Your mentality
• Your thoughts (things that are going on in your head)

I had a problem with both.

I had spent time living where I felt disliked and judged and was not free to express myself. However, my mindset could have been better as well. I was placing too much importance on the opinions and words of others.

I was painfully dependent on external validation. I’m still working on that in a way. I was acting like a little kid, which was my fault and responsibility.

I needed to stop acting like a victim and letting that mindset ruin my life when the environment was the problem, either externally or internally.

Change can be highly beneficial.

So in a physical sense, that can mean traveling to a new city or new country. But it doesn’t have to be that. Not everybody has access to that kind of thing. It can be as simple as spending time in nature or with different people.

On an internal level, that can be changing the kind of content that you’re consuming. As an example, It’s super important to be an informed citizen and to vote right.

It doesn’t mean you must be plugged into the negative news cycle 24/7. It can be changing accounts you follow on social media or reducing your exposure to social media.

Anything that takes you out of your bubble. It increases your perspective. This is super valuable. Exposure to new things can provide you access to the answers you’re looking for.

Learn a new Skill

Adversity is incredible for growing and expanding as a person. Still, at some level, that is only possible once you’ve given yourself a chance to get back on your feet.

You can check out my article on how I learn things online. If you’re curious about how I did that.

This was highly therapeutic for me, and I’ll tell you why I had gone a long time without any wings. So my self-esteem was at an all-time low, and I was finally learning a valuable skill.

I could contribute something to the world, which changed everything for me. There’s a shift that takes place, I think, when you take things into your own hands.

You’re no longer an employee in your own life.

Getting good at something can bring back some momentum which I have lost, and it can also become a way to express yourself.

Do Something Difficult

So now you have a skill, right? Or maybe you’re just starting out with something.

Once you’ve given yourself a chance to get back up. Go and do something difficult. Without fail, all the things I’m most proud of in life have been the hardest things I’ve taken on.

I’m not a very social person, naturally. I’m not witty. People who get to know me in person would know what I’m talking about.

So I’ve made myself socialize more to improve my social skills. I suck at it. It’s a total cringe-fest, but that’s not what matters.

What I’ve gained from those experiences was more than that, which was confidence. It has grown as I push myself, even in little ways, but please don’t take me as an inspiration. Okay?

I’m not remarkable. In fact, I’m not remarkable at all.

There are better stories out there of people who have come from abject poverty or other incredibly terrible odds and have succeeded in their mission.

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