I've been thinking a lot the past few days which is pretty dangerous. I usually end up getting some hare-brained idea, or come across a question that burns in my mind for a while.
I've noticed a lot of that recently. I've noticed that I tend to fixate on things, and when i do, nothing else really matters. When the object of my fixation (not obsession... obsession is a whole different game for me even thought I know the two words are synonyms.) is a good thing, it's great. Nothing can stop me, I will get whatever is in my way taken care of, no matter the cost. I will bend heaven and earth to make it happen.
However, when the opposite is true, I tend to focus on it. If I feel bad, I tend to pay way close attention to how I am feeling. I fixate on every ache, pain, and feeling of nausea. That usually ends up making things worse. Fortunately, I've noticed this trend, and now I can do something about it.
One of the neat things I learned while I was in the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for my Anxiety was using critical thinking to adjust my viewpoint. I forget the term, but maybe one of my psych buddies can refresh me.
For instance... I start to feel anxious, and I notice it. One of the first things that I stop and ask myself is, "Are you in any actual, immediate danger?" If the answer is yes, then I panic and run screaming like everyone else. If not, I take a step back and ask "What is causing the anxiety" and take a minute to think. usually by this time, I aware of what is causing it, and I can start applying effort toward taking that negative thought, and replacing it with something better.
So with my fixations, I'm using much of the same thing. When I start to fixate on something, I look to see if it is a good thing, or not. If it's not, I try and change to focus. Sometimes it is far easier said than done though.
Sorry this has been such a random post, but I find a lot of times if I'm concerned about something, and I write it down, I find an answer. So, thanks for your help!
