Self-criticism can take a toll on our minds and bodies
I recently realized that when I have negative thoughts about myself or the future I feel like I'm listening to my logic and reason, but when the thoughts are positive I just brush it off as wishful thinking. Which has lead me to a life where I dread imaginary events that never happen, and don't let myself look forward to anything or fantasize about possibilities.<p>I think it started as a measure of self protection after a long string of broken promises when I was a kid, but it's a shitty way to live. My biggest realization was just that pessimism is no more logical than optimism.<p>My solution has been to give equal time to positive thoughts. So, if I find myself thinking for a couple minutes about how something might go horribly wrong, I spend the next couple minutes imagining what the best case scenario would be like.<p>I'm basically forcing hope back into my life.