Acceptance of experience |
A lot of the time our efforts to distract ourselves, avoid things and use substances are not a problem.
But if we are too fixated or rigid about these 'control agenda' strategies it does cause trouble. We get exhausted and get pulled away from our values and other important things. And we end up creating more problems and suffering which in turn requires more effort to push it all away.
Have a look at this video introducing the concept of the 'struggle switch'.
But if we are too fixated or rigid about these 'control agenda' strategies it does cause trouble. We get exhausted and get pulled away from our values and other important things. And we end up creating more problems and suffering which in turn requires more effort to push it all away.
Have a look at this video introducing the concept of the 'struggle switch'.
Do you recognize yourself in this? I certainly do!
ACT offers an alternative by teaching us how to loosen our grip on the control agenda (a bit like loosening our grip on the oars!) and to be more accepting of the painful experiences we have. We can then find that the experiences we have been dodging are not really that bad. The struggle we get into with them is often actually worse !
The first step is to dropping the struggle is to practice noticing & naming what is going on. The 'noticing & naming' strategy is a powerful thing to do. It starts to open up new options.
So, you might say something like "Here's anxiety again" or "My mind is predicting bad things will happen". Or here's the 'I'm not good enough' story again. (Check out video on Healthy relationship with the mind page)
Just that. Don't give yourself a hard time. Don't say "I've GOT to STOP having these thoughts!". Or if you do, just notice and name that thought too.
If you manage to do this even once a day or once a week, you're on your way to making important changes.
Good luck! If you like, you can let us know how you're getting on via TeamApp or our contact form.
This video continues this theme:
ACT offers an alternative by teaching us how to loosen our grip on the control agenda (a bit like loosening our grip on the oars!) and to be more accepting of the painful experiences we have. We can then find that the experiences we have been dodging are not really that bad. The struggle we get into with them is often actually worse !
The first step is to dropping the struggle is to practice noticing & naming what is going on. The 'noticing & naming' strategy is a powerful thing to do. It starts to open up new options.
So, you might say something like "Here's anxiety again" or "My mind is predicting bad things will happen". Or here's the 'I'm not good enough' story again. (Check out video on Healthy relationship with the mind page)
Just that. Don't give yourself a hard time. Don't say "I've GOT to STOP having these thoughts!". Or if you do, just notice and name that thought too.
If you manage to do this even once a day or once a week, you're on your way to making important changes.
Good luck! If you like, you can let us know how you're getting on via TeamApp or our contact form.
This video continues this theme: