Bookmark

This method addresses a few TMS type personality traits, and the traps of a TMS mind (probably any mind).
First of all, you need to understand that you don't use this method with every "problem" you face. You are using this in an attempt to think and solve LESS not more because being in your head is both a modern human trait and a TMS trap. The circle method I use is to see the subtle ways that the mind will try and sway you into thought patterns.

My method is to imagine myself out in some kind of playing field. I'm standing there with nothing to do and no place to go. There is no agenda. No goal, no striving, no fixing or figuring it out - simply observing myself with curiosity.
There is a huge circle drawn around me about 100 feet away from myself. I'm just hanging out in the center.
Then I picture another me walking the circle. I walk a few feet and look at myself in the circle. That me in the circle doesn't move, there is no eye contact nothing. The me on the circle just observes. Then I walk another few feet and look at myself again.

The me in the circle is having thoughts about something I am absolutely certain of, or perhaps feeling confounded or confused by. You keep it light, with minimal thoughts about it. An example is "I never feel angry, I identify as being happy or even just existing". The me on the circle looks at the inner me and just observes, without judgement of the inner me ... sort of thinking "is that so". I might as the inner me a question: is that the only way to think?

EVERY single time I do this I observe something about my inner circle me that isn't true, and when I recognize it, I can easily identify what IS true, even if the only think I recognize that is true is that my mind is stuck seeing things only one way. This is a common TMS personality type called "Legalistic" or seeing things in black and white. We are absolutely convinced that what we are "seeing" - our perspective is our truth, and this legalistic type of thinking is pretty sneaky and obsideous. I am generally considered (and consider myself) very open minded and creative and often curious. However, that isn't always true.

I may THINK that I don't have stress (or emotion) towards a certain person or event - but I feel stuck because I'm still getting triggered over and over. I feel CERTAIN that I've journaled, and talked to myself about the issue and there is "nothing" there.... that is EXACTLY the moment I put myself in that circle. That certainty is always my key that my brain might be trying to keep me safe. Sneaky TMS thinking stuff. Sometimes nothing is below the surface and it's simply a good exercise - a good TMS tool to practice. But more often than not, I find myself not being open minded about the possibilities of what might be lurking. Best of all I've never had any anxiety or stress doing this exercise. It's kind of fun.