Emotional Support Sisters

It’s my turn to post. Normally I have my post written by Sunday afternoon at the latest. More typically it is earlier in the week. 

Not today.

And guess what.

I’m going to practice CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy).

I am feeling disappointed and discouraged. I’m thinking that this–not having a blog post ready– is an indicator that I won’t be able to continue writing blog posts, which would mean I’m not putting in the effort to continue doing something I committed to do which means depression wins again and I can’t be relied upon because I can’t rely upon my mind/body and I’ll never be able to do the things I want.

Now to challenge that thinking.

The triggering event is that I don’t have a blog post ready in advance. From that, I am drawing the conclusion that I will never be able to do the things I want. 

Sure, each step of the way seems “logical” (to my brain) so it seems to be a “logical conclusion” (to my brain). But is it?

Probably not.

For one thing, I’m overgeneralizing. That’s pretty obvious from the “never” part. I’m never going to be able to do things I want? What about yesterday when I did a puzzle and enjoyed it?

I’m creating unrealistic expectations for myself. Expectations that I bet no one else has for me. I bet if I asked Missy or Rae, they would say not to worry about it.

I am catastrophizing and negative fortune telling by saying that this one event has a significant impact (it doesn’t, if I don’t get something posted today, it really isn’t that big of a deal) and that this one event is indicative of bad things that will happen in the future.

One more “logical” conclusion busted is that I won’t be able to continue writing blog posts.

Because guess what I’m doing right now. WRITING A BLOG POST! So not only is the conclusion I’m drawing from this event false, I’m even judging this event on false premises. I’m judging based on the belief that I won’t get anything posted today. But that’s not true. As is obvious by the mere fact that you are reading this.

Booyah!

CBT for the win!