Brain Battles: Labeling (I am thoughts)

What is a Brain Battle?

 A brain battle is an ongoing internal dialogue with ourselves; that never really ends, and usually leaves us feeling worse than we did at the start.

COGNITIVE DISTORTION: LABELING

Original Brain Battle: “UGH, I never responded to that text; I am such an awful friend” “no, I’m not” “yes, you are, see all these other 1000000 times you failed” “but I’m not awful” “yes you are”

Sound familiar?  Yes – okay, then let us explore how we can work WITH our thoughts instead of against them, so we can end the brain battle. 

1-    Bring mental awareness to the experience of your thought

“I am having the thought that because I did not respond to this text that I am an awful friend”

2-    Own your mistake and embrace your humanity

“I regret not responding to that text earlier. I know others struggle with this too and my mistake simply makes me human. Being human is okay and my humanity is valued”

3-   Identify your Power in the Present Moment

“In this moment, I have the power to reach out to my community.”

Original Thought: I never responded to that text, I am an awful friend"

Following Thought: I am having the thought that because I did not respond to this text, I am an awful friend. I regret not responding to that text. I know others struggle with this too, I am not alone and my mistake simply makes me human. It is okay to be human and my humanity is what my friends value. In this moment, I have the power to reach out to my friend, own my mistake, and reconnect.

This is a great formula to apply to a lot of brain battles you find yourself stuck in engagement.

WANT MORE?

·      Follow my IG @melinda.lericos_wholeness to see more videos on brain battles (and all things mental health).

·      Share your Brain Battles with me – I will keep updating this blog, and making more videos about how to work with, not against, our self-talk.

Want to work together learning new ways to engage with your thoughts?

Reach out or book a session!

Melinda Lericos, LPC is a licensed therapist in the state of Kansas specializing in eating disorders, complex and attachment trauma. Melinda practices with a Body Trust, Health at Every Size, and IFS lens while incorporating behavioral strategies, body integration, and mindfulness techniques. She has experience at several different levels of care for eating disorder treatment and now practices in an outpatient, private practice setting.