[bpcyclist]

Just say, "i'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonnit, people like me?"

I want to promote my positive white and gray matter while depressed--all the time, really. I believe in it. Do not know what to do. Thanks, Sometimes.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Just say, "i'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonnit, people like me?"

Honestly that sounds too weak....not t just good enough but great or fantastic, super smart and people love me....get rid of the enoughs....you are the best!

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

Honestly that sounds too weak....not t just good enough but great or fantastic, super smart and people love me....get rid of the enoughs....you are the best!

Thanks, Sometimes.

[*Beth*]

When we went to teletherapy my therapist brought CBT into my treatment. Initially, I was turned off. Very turned off. Surprisingly, after some sessions I not only began to like CBT, but I began to look forward to practicing the exercises.

Part of my CBT practice is affirmations. Affirmations were so difficult for me in the beginning, because I tended to intellectually pick them apart ("If I was in line for the gas chamber at Auschwitz why would I say 'I may not understand the good in this situation, but it is there'?"

I came to realize that I was missing the purpose. As you pointed out, the idea of affirmations, when all is said and done, is to help to rewire a dysfunctional brain.

So I have my list of affirmations written out on a page. I read them over a few times every day, then I choose one as my "theme" for the day. Sometimes I play a game; I close my eyes and let my finger point to one of the affirmations. That will be the one I go with for the day.

Sometimes I choose an affirmation to fit a specific situation. For example, I'm using a few of them to try not to get into a panicked emotional hairball about Healthline buying out PC.

Sometimes I re-write one or more of them in order to connect to them more deeply.

Bottom line: I use them. I don't allow myself to dissect them or give them much thought. I use them in the way I'd use weights to strengthen a part of my body. For me, affirmations are "brain weights" that I use to strengthen a healthy part of my brain and mind, too.

Using affirmations for me is a kind of "build it and they will come" concept.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

Thanks for being here, that is helpful

[Is it heping you? I am surprised you objected to CBT. What wad the objection?QUOTE=BethRags;6917930]When we went to teletherapy my therapist brought CBT into my treatment. Initially, I was turned off. Very turned off. Surprisingly, after some sessions I not only began to like CBT, but I began to look forward to practicing the exercises.

Part of my CBT practice is affirmations. Affirmations were so difficult for me in the beginning, because I tended to intellectually pick them apart ("If I was in line for the gas chamber at Auschwitz why would I say 'I may not understand the good in this situation, but it is there'?"

I came to realize that I was missing the purpose. As you pointed out, the idea of affirmations, when all is said and done, is to help to rewire a dysfunctional brain.

So I have my list of affirmations written out on a page. I read them over a few times every day, then I choose one as my "theme" for the day. Sometimes I play a game; I close my eyes and let my finger fall on one of the affirmations. That will be the one I go with for the day.

Sometimes I choose an affirmation to fit a specific situation. For example, I'm using a few of them to try not to get into a panicked emotional hairball about Healthline buying out PC.

Sometimes I re-write one or more of them in order to connect to them more deeply.

Bottom line: I use them. I don't allow myself to dissect them or give them much thought. I use them in the way I'd use weights to strengthen a part of my body. For me, affirmations are "brain weights" that I use to strengthen a healthy part of my brain and mind, too.

Using affirmations for me is a kind of "build it and they will come" concept.[/QUOTE]

Is it helping? Why did you object to CBT?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I know you are a Christian so here are some my pastor recommended, called Meditations on the Mount. If you aren't Christian you probably won't like these as they are based on Scripture.

I like the one I have done. I'm not very good at meditations because my mind wanders but I'm going to try more of these. Thanks for reminding me.

[*Beth*]

I objected to CBT because we had been doing trauma work in-office, then had to transition to teletherapy very suddenly. I was profoundly shaken up and felt that my therapist was abandoning me by switching to CBT. It turned out that that was not was she was doing, at all.


Interestingly, the CBT work has been beneficial while doing trauma work.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I know you are a Christian so here are some my pastor recommended, called Meditations on the Mount. If you aren't Christian you probably won't like these as they are based on Scripture.

I like the one I have done. I'm not very good at meditations because my mind wanders but I'm going to try more of these. Thanks for reminding me.

Oh, thanks, Rainbow!!

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I objected to CBT because we had been doing trauma work in-office, then had to transition to teletherapy very suddenly. I was profoundly shaken up and felt that my therapist was abandoning me by switching to CBT. It turned out that that was not was she was doing, at all.


Interestingly, the CBT work has been beneficial while doing trauma work.

Thank you, Beth!

[fern46]

I like to use the I Am, We Are method. Anything I ask of myself, I ask for the world. Its kinda a take on the golden rule. So for example...

I am the designer of an amazing journey/We are the designers of a collective amazing journey.

I am strong and healthy physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually/We are strong and holistically healthy.

I am strong enough to face my demons, accept them and integrate them into a better future/We are able to face our evils, accept them and redesign them for a better future

Really any way you want to go about mantras can work. Just say everything as a truth because if you can think it and wish it for yourself, there is a part of you that is already there. The same is true on a collective level.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by fern46

I like to use the I Am, We Are method. Anything I ask of myself, I ask for the world. Its kinda a take on the golden rule. So for example...

I am the designer of an amazing journey/We are the designers of a collective amazing journey.

I am strong and healthy physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually/We are strong and holistically healthy.

I am strong enough to face my demons, accept them and integrate them into a better future/We are able to face our evils, accept them and redesign them for a better future

Really any way you want to go about mantras can work. Just say everything as a truth because if you can think it and wish it for yourself, there is a part of you that is already there. The same is true on a collective level.

How many time a day are needed?

[fern46]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

How many time a day are needed?

I just do it when I need to hear it. Start with maybe once or twice a day and see how you feel. If you're needing it much more than that maybe you need to work some other things in to help you shift to where you want to go.

Sometimes I need to repeat it over and over during a fearful time or emotional time. Just go with your gut and adjust as needed. A system you create and tweak yourself can be powerful.

[bpcyclist]

Thanks!!

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I know you are a Christian so here are some my pastor recommended, called Meditations on the Mount. If you aren't Christian you probably won't like these as they are based on Scripture.

I like the one I have done. I'm not very good at meditations because my mind wanders but I'm going to try more of these. Thanks for reminding me.

I might try these, thanks for posting

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by fern46

I just do it when I need to hear it. Start with maybe once or twice a day and see how you feel. If you're needing it much more than that maybe you need to work some other things in to help you shift to where you want to go.

Sometimes I need to repeat it over and over during a fearful time or emotional time. Just go with your gut and adjust as needed. A system you create and tweak yourself can be powerful.

Thanks

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Just say, "i'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonnit, people like me?"

I want to promote my positive white and gray matter while depressed--all the time, really. I believe in it. Do not know what to do. Thanks, Sometimes.

I agree, drop the ''enough''

I am smart and good, and people like me