Day 16 Triggers and self-talk

Today, while reading an article titled The role of triggers: Holidays and headaches as part of the educational program, it felt like this article had being written just for me. The core of the article was about triggers and that once you have identified them you can start to reverse them. One of the common methods was to avoid them. Ha! I can certainly relate to that. However, the article cautioned that this was exactly the wrong action to take.

As I have written about in some of my other posts, when I think about bringing something new into my life, I get stressed and worried that it will make me sick. I have had this thought in my head for 30 years and it has become such a self fulfilling prophecy.

I stress about buying new clothes and shoes, buying new things for the house, renovating the house, being given gifts. I have wondered for years what mysterious force was at work, and theorized that I was so sensitive to chemicals that this had to be the reason for the pain I felt. What did not make sense is that living with my wife, who loves to shop, that none of the clothing and items she bought had any affect on me. I thought I was cursed! I learned to fear every new thing that came into my life with a sense of dread. Not exactly embracing life!

The article listed several psychological techniques to use in overcoming them and it was reassuring to see that I’m currently using many of them. One of them that jumped out at me though was self-talk. It struck me that this is one area that I can start using immediately for my benefit. I currently use it though to criticize myself and tell myself how everything is dangerous and will ruin my health. I experienced a pleasant sensation when I realized I can easily tell myself something soothing. So, that’s my lesson for today. Talk nicely to myself for a change

 

Oh my goodness, and what a wonderful lesson to learn! So powerful! There’s this book I started reading a year ago that has really changed my life in this category— It’s called Feeling Good, By David Burns. If you get a chance, check it out.

It sounds like you’re doing some really good work! You are gaining a lot of insight. And it’s hard work; you should be proud of yourself!

 

Thanks @Diana-M. This can be my audible book of the month!

 

Yay! I love this book! Probably my biggest find this year of all things I’ve found.