As complicated as depression can be, for many of us it can all come down to the ways in which we think. The thought patterns we’re unconsciously repeating become our limiting beliefs. Some common thought patterns with depression include self-judgment, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, and self-rejection. We develop limiting beliefs telling us that we aren’t good enough, that we are unworthy, that we don’t measure up to other people. Once we’re aware of our negative thought patterns, we can find the opposite, more positive, alternative versions of them and give our energy to those instead.
Insecurity and self-rejection are huge issues for many of us. When they go unchecked, they have a way of festering out of control and taking over our lives. We can feel extremely depressed because we’ve formed a negative perception of ourselves and created a poor self-image. How can we turn around our thought patterns of insecurity? Repeating affirmations is a powerful way to reprogram the subconscious mind, where our emotional information is stored and where the majority of our thoughts are generated. When we’re feeling insecure, we can affirm, “I am confident. I am secure. I am at peace within myself. I am growing in self-love.” If we’re feeling like we’re rejecting ourselves, we can say “I accept myself unconditionally. I love myself. I believe in myself. I am perfect the way I am.”
Instead of letting our thoughts continue to spiral out of our control, we can challenge them with our awareness and then redirect them in transformative ways. Depression often comes from the belief that we are inadequate and inferior to other people. Let’s monitor our self-talk and change it to reflect a healthier self-image. “I am more than good enough. I am strong. I am powerful. I am healing and growing.” We can stop our limiting beliefs from wreaking havoc on our psyche. We can reclaim power over our thoughts and emotions. First, we have to make the conscious decision not to let our pain run the show. We have to choose to prioritize our well-being and decide we’ve had enough of the internal self-destruction and self-sabotage.
With time, practice and repetition, affirmations can permeate our subconscious mind and create new, more empowering beliefs. We don’t have to think of depression as a force that has to exert control over us. We can regain control of our wayward thoughts and feelings. We can reel them in, apply our conscious awareness and transform them through redirection.
The treatment programs at Riverside Recovery allow you to benefit from group and individual therapy, mindfulness education, yoga and recreation, and daily recovery meetings to help you in your healing work. Call us today: (800) 871-5440.