As a highly sensitive person, do you know how to control your thoughts? Especially in difficult times such as these? Being able to successfully manage your thoughts is one of the best ways to empower yourself to better control your life. How would you feel if your mind was nurturing you rather than tearing you down? When you focus on positive rather than negative thoughts, you become a powerful ally to yourself, firmly pointing your destiny in a direction that will help you conquer anything that holds you back.
In the beginning, it will take a conscious decision on your part to stop the flow of negativity, but eventually you’ll come to a place where most negative thoughts subside before causing damage. It’s important to bring these negative thoughts into the light, so that they can be examined. Are your negative thoughts helping you? What can you do to tone them down and put events in their proper perspective?
Aside from interrogating your thoughts, another way to respond is to immediately concentrate on something else. Refuse to play along with negative thoughts that seek to undermine you. Pick up a good book, put on some music that uplifts you, exercise your body, or do something physical to clear your mind. Distracting yourself with something you enjoy can quickly steer you out of a rut.
Letting a negative thought linger in your mind can seem natural to you, especially when you’re in a particularly vulnerable state of mind. When you find yourself entertaining a negative thought, consider the origin of it. It could be from a place of despair, lack of confidence, fear, or perhaps being around negative people. This is natural in this time of crisis. Let yourself feel your thoughts, but don’t be paralyzed by them. Why not have tentative plans to do things when this uncertain time eventually ends? Give yourself something to look forward to.
Actions speak louder than words to our minds. “As ye think, so shall you be,” is an old saying that would be great if it worked. Just because we think the good thoughts doesn’t mean that our wishes will be granted. It takes a conscientious effort to act as we think.
Even though positive thinking isn’t a magic bullet, it will help you achieve a can-do attitude that will spur you forward. Negative thinking is very de-motivating and may trick you into thinking that your future is bleak. Use your own creativity to think of ways to produce more positive thoughts and to act on them when they come.
We sometimes don’t act on positive thoughts because of preconceived opinions. Try to keep an open mind about events that happen. Acting in a positive way toward something can unleash new possibilities. Give yourself permission to change your negative mindset and let go of any limitations that you’ve set for yourself.
What other ways can you control your thoughts? I’m interested in any thoughts or comments that you have.
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I’d like to be able to control my angry thoughts, particularly concerning those who are no longer are around and can’t defend themselves. I’ve had conversations, both real and conjured up that are constantly played in my mind that just will not go away because I was so hurt by the person in my life, and I am sure that person feels I have hurt her. I am unable to have closure with the relationship because the person ended her own life, left no letter. Mentally the person wasn’t well, but even knowing this, I was made to feel like everything was my fault and that I failed as an emotional care-taker for her. On a logical level, I know it wasn’t my job, but on a deeper level, I feel responsible even though I should know better. I know deep down inside she didn’t mean to hurt me. She leaned on me because her own kids wouldn’t help her and she didn’t rely on her other friends, just me, because, guess why? I’m a sensitive empath, and nurturing who had a hard time saying No until that last 6 months of her life. I never had the courage to really stand up for myself so I was her sounding board and punching bag and took alot of unnecessary abuse. It was only when I started applying boundaries that she got really despondent . To make an already long story short, her husband died and she made a scant effort to get back to work several months after he died and had a hard time keeping work because of her emotional issues, so she depended on me because she couldn’t stand being alone. She was like a frightened child during the day and was overwhelmed. Her excessive dependency wore me out though and I almost lost my job and my family was almost neglected because of it and I had to back away. She thought everything I said here was just an excuse to avoid her. She kept hinting and doing the suicide ideation and finally did it. I wasnt and couldnt let her threats blackmail me into enslaven me to her. So basically all I am left is ghost conversations, some good, some not with her and I don’t know how to stop them. I just want her to rest in peace because I know she didnt ask for her situation any more than the next person, and I want to get on with my own life without her getting in to my head about 12 out of 24 hours a day. It’s maddening and exhausting, even if the thoughts are good, I just want to let it all go but i don’t know how.
Hi Patty,
I’m sorry for the angst that you’re going though. As a highly sensitive empath, I can relate to how you feel. You can’t undo the past. You did the best you could under difficult circumstances. Setting boundaries for yourself is nothing to feel bad about. We can’t help everyone. This person had problems that were beyond your control. You don’t have to go through this alone. You might consider seeking therapy when you’re feeling overwhelmed. You are a deeply caring person who helped your friend the best that you could. I hope you get some comfort from this.