How I learned to master my thoughts is a question people ask me often. The assumption is usually that I no longer slip into old patterns or that I do not spiral when something difficult happens. That is not true. I still experience moments where my mind goes back to familiar responses, especially during emotionally challenging situations. The difference is that the moment I become aware of my thoughts, I discipline them. That awareness creates a pause, and within that pause, I choose how I respond rather than allowing my mind to run unchecked.
What I later realised is that I had been practising this for years without knowing there was a formal term for it. In 2020, I learned that this process is known as forced repetition or autosuggestion. Giving it a name helped me understand that what I had been doing was not accidental. It was a learned psychological process where the mind is trained through consistent repetition of deliberate thoughts.
Most people believe that situations directly cause emotions and actions. In reality, the sequence works differently. Thoughts come first, feelings follow, and actions come last. A single thought triggers an emotional response, and that emotion influences behaviour. When this cycle repeats over time, it becomes a pattern. This explains why two people can experience the same situation but respond in completely different ways. The difference is not the event itself but the interpretation of the event in the mind.
Thoughts are not random. They are learned patterns shaped by past experiences, conditioning, and, for many people, unresolved trauma. For individuals who have experienced trauma, one magnified thought can create a ripple effect. A single negative interpretation can escalate quickly, triggering intense emotional reactions and behavioural responses that feel automatic. Once this pattern is identified, it becomes possible to trace it back to its root rather than being controlled by it.
The key turning point for me was understanding that awareness is the first form of discipline. I did not aim to eliminate negative thoughts entirely because that is unrealistic. Instead, I trained myself to notice them as early as possible. Awareness creates an opportunity to interrupt the cycle. When a thought is noticed, it can be questioned, redirected, or replaced. This process requires effort, especially in the beginning, because the brain naturally prefers familiar patterns.
This is where forced repetition becomes important. Many people rely on motivation to change their mindset, but motivation is unstable. It depends on mood, energy, and circumstances. Repetition, on the other hand, is behavioural and consistent. Through autosuggestion, I repeatedly introduced alternative thoughts even when they did not feel natural or convincing. Over time, the brain adjusted. What initially felt forced became familiar, and eventually, it became automatic.
When thoughts change, feelings begin to shift. When feelings shift, actions follow. This does not mean emotions disappear, but their intensity reduces, and reactions become more measured. The cycle of thought, feeling, and action becomes something that can be observed and guided rather than something that controls behaviour unconsciously.
Mastering thoughts does not mean having complete control over the mind at all times. It means recovering faster when old patterns appear. It means recognising spirals earlier and shortening their duration. This process is not about suppressing emotions but about leading the mind with intention. Over time, consistent repetition builds mental discipline, and the mind learns a new way of responding to life.
Comments
Post a Comment