There is some expansion there. Tried something completely different and not at all CBT-approved last night, just to see if it would work. Every time I got into a negative loop, I tried to immediately identify that. Then, instead of doing the whole check fact thing, blah, I simply forced my brain to do something else immediately.

I sort of think i pictures. There's a book, movie, too. Temple Grander, maybe? Been awhile. If I recall correctly, she is an autism spectrum person who has been very successful. Anyway, she thinks in pictures. I have these visions and have always done math and science using images, rather than equations. Works great for me.

So, anyway, last night, as soon as I identified I was in a negative loop, I forced my brain onto one of four images that I find peaceful and calming and that make me happy: 1) a cute mallard I saw the other day, swimming; 2) some bunnies I see on my rides; 3) the roses fern posted a picture of; 4) another cute bird I saw the other day.

Guess what? Even brute-forcing my brain to do this, I felt better immediately. Calmer, less anxiety, no anger, breathing better, no pain in my gut. etc.

Interesting.