Many of us find ourselves falling into the same self-destructive thought patterns we’ve been holding onto for years. One of these patterns is obsessive thinking. Many people who obsess can’t find relief from their painful thoughts and feel tortured by them, which can add to the feelings of hopelessness and despair that many of us experience with addiction and depression.
When we obsess, it’s usually about the things we find most worrisome and distressing, not the things that make us happy! Oftentimes our minds will create a subject to obsess about, when really at the core of the issue lie our deeply rooted fears that we have yet to heal. As we repeatedly think certain thoughts over and over, we create mental pathways that our minds then naturally default to. When we obsess, we are essentially conditioning our minds to hold onto these subjects and actively training our minds to be even more obsessive.
Let’s work to create new mental pathways that are healthier and that encourage rather than hurt us. Start to become more mindful of your obsessive thoughts, observe them and make note of them. What are they trying to tell you about yourself? What fears do they represent? Many of us share some very common fears of inadequacy, inferiority, failure, uncertainty, abandonment, rejection and judgment. As we work to heal these fears, we can create a new inner dialogue to give us the courage to face our fears and address the underlying trauma. “I am brave. I am powerful. I am strong. I am fearless.” This process allows us to take back control of our minds, when for much of our lives many of us were running from our fears with our addictions and burying them under obsessive thinking and other harmful thought patterns.
We can also begin to focus our attention on new subject material to replace the old obsessions. We can create new mental pathways for our minds to default to, thought patterns of self-love and self-protection. “I love myself unconditionally. I believe in myself. I believe in my power. I am my own best friend. I am healed. I am confident. I am secure.”
Anytime we practice creating new, positive, affirming thought patterns, we are reprogramming our subconscious minds for better health and happiness.
What are your goals? What are your dreams? Develop self-talk that supports and uplifts you. “I am making my dreams come true. I am manifesting a beautiful reality for myself. I am successful. I am fulfilled.” When we are focused on the right things, our minds have much less time, space and energy to give to unhealthy obsessing.
Working with our minds is an important part of recovery. We’re here to help. Call (575) 586-5078.
