We are often told to "think positive." We hang motivational posters, recite affirmations, and try to shove our doubts into a mental closet. But for millions of people dealing with anxiety, low self-esteem, or perfectionism, this forced optimism backfires. The more we try to suppress negative thoughts, the louder they scream.
(What went through your mind?)
(What happened?)
Start tonight. Write down the worst thing your inner critic is saying. Then, in the next column, fact-check it. You might just find that the monster under your bed is just a dusty pair of old shoes. Bad Thinking Diary