Dealing with Negative Thinking
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Do you have those days when you just don't think you are good enough? When you don't think you have what it takes to even learn new things, or to keep colouring and creating? I'm pretty sure we all have those days, so I wanted to share some tips I read in a recent article from the Times called: "The Year of Conquering Negative Thinking".
Why am I sharing tips like this? Because Kit and Clowder is about our journey together to help you feel more confident. You are never alone in our community... I understand how hard it can be to try new things or to take out some of the stress of life on yourself and through your hobbies. Negative feelings and lack of mojo can creep up on anyone, no matter how long you have been colouring so I think this is an important one to read.
In this article from the Times, they have a few points to deal with negative thinking:
1 - Acknowledge and accept the negative thought
Don't get mad at yourself for worrying, but just calmly accept what you are being told (eg. you might have the little voice that says "You aren't good enough to do this)
2 - Force yourself to challenge it
Ask yourself why you are telling yourself this.(eg. ask why are you telling yourself that you wouldn't be good enough? What evidence do you have to think that way?)
3 - What advice would you give to a friend
Who told you this same thing (eg. if your friend told you they weren't good enough to try something... what would you tell them?)
4 - Now, let's apply that advice to you too and take action or make a plan.
It might be something as easy as making a list of your accomplishments, looking at your favourite colouring pieces or comparing a recent colouring to a colouring you did when you first started. This shows you that you *are* capable. Or it might mean that you make a schedule to practice - 15 minutes a week to work on a little area to break down an overwhelming project. Or it might mean reaching out and asking for help (your classes always come with private tutoring and I am right here any time at all).
These steps help to teach us to calmly observe our thoughts and step back, giving a bit more realistic perspective on how you feel.
It's not always going to be easy to always be positive, it takes practice just like our colouring does. But our hobbies are meant to be there for us to enjoy, to take some of the stress away from everyday life, and to be opportunities where we can have our own achievements, and learn new things for our well being.
It's important that we don't let our negative thinking take away the joy of our hobbies and our ability to progress forward - take that pressure off needing to be perfect and enjoy your own personal journey (read - no comparing with others or even your classes.. we are here to guide and help grow but never to set expectation).We are all right here for you and believe in you :) Hope to see you share the projects you are working on this week with us in our Facebook Group or to see you jump into the classrooms.
2 comments
Thank you for sharing this, it is so useful and everything in it is so true.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you have found it helpful! If I can help any time please reach out <3 Wishing you a lovely day!
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