Life is easy, isn't it?
I'll answer that.... ..NO. I think my main struggle in life comes from the ever-problematic concept of 'thought'. I mean think about it (see the irony there) where does most anxiety come from? Thought. Where does judgement, hate and stigma flourish? In our thoughts. When was the last time you decided to do something stupid? It doesn't matter because the fact is you DECIDED to do you, YOU, your brain with its neurons creating those damn thoughts again. I think you get the picture. Add to your own thoughts: your friends, family, society and BOOM you've got a big pot of ignition to trigger more thoughts that may or may not serve you well. In fact, there is a whole approach to Mental illness that focuses of faulty thought patterns as a factor- hence where Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)comes from. So here's something to *rolls eyes* think about... How can this issue of thought be reduced? Yes, CBT has really helped me with my own mental health struggles but I like to fuel this neural rewiring in creative ways. ...So I'm letting my own thoughts, and OF COURSE, current POP culture, guide me to my own 2019 approach to life. I'm going to take an Ariana Grande approach.
Yep, you heard me. And I'm sure you've heard this BANGER everywhere. Ariana Grande's hit, 'Thank u, next'.
Ariana sings about her previous relationships and how even though not all of them were great, she can actually just acknowledge that they happened and that each one served for her to learn from. So, let's apply this to our thoughts... Say you wake up, have a super lazy day and get nothing done. You get thoughts that you're a failure, that you are lazy and that you will never get anything done. EVER. Take that thought as a thought- you can choose to believe it, or you can choose to acknowledge it, realise that it will only make you feel rubbish/make you MORE unproductive (beating yourself up never got you anywhere) then say THANK U, negative thought, NEXT! Now you've got space to welcome in a more self-serving thought. The 'Grande Approach'™ can also work WONDERS with other people voicing their negative thoughts. E.G. Stressed Family member: "You are so SELFISH. You need to take a good look at your life and stop being a horrible person." So maybe you did do something a bit selfish BUT there are two ways to think about this... 1. 'Oh, they are 100% correct. I am a horrible person. I will never be a nice person. I'm going to believe this person with heightened emotions and thus am doomed to a life of continuous selfish acts.' OR you could think: 2. 'maybe there is some truth in what they say, and I somewhat care about this persons opinion of me, BUT actually maybe they are a bit stressed & emotional so I will just try to make right what I've done and bear this in mind in the future. THANK U, NEXT- I'm going to make my day better from here.' YOU SEE, Ari knows how to learn the better neural pathways!
But that is not all. Just like Ari's wide vocal range, thoughts are just the tip of the iceberg. There are a plethora of uses...
Other uses for the Grande Approach™
1.People with unnecessary road-rage?
Ever been beeped, sworn or shouted at on the roads for NO reason?
Thank U, Next.
2. Rubbish weather?
Waking up to miserable, grey, depressing weather when all you wanted was a glimmer of sunshine?
Embrace it like Ari..
Thank U, Next.3. Judgemental relative
Family events with unecessarily opinionated great-uncle Steve?
Thank U, Next.
4.Brexit
Sorry Theresa, what was that?
Thank U, Next.
... The list goes on.
So, what's important to remember is that life is full of bad thoughts and vibes. It's full of Seans and Rickys too that may not be a match for you. But each dip brings with it a lesson. You can either chose to let each turn take its toll or you can say a big Thank U, Next. It's a nice little matra to remind you of that so you can live Grande this 2019.
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March 2019
Take a sip from the cup of my mind, and let the thoughts brew... |