Thoughts vs. Feelings

Sometimes I try and pause to really pay attention to my thoughts vs my feelings—both equally important parts of a person’s internal system. At times I mistake them for each other. The more I differentiate between my thoughts and feelings, the more I have access to myself and my needs.

Mixing the two up can sound something like: “I feel like I need to go out to dinner tonight because everyone else is going.” When really…that’s a thought! You think you have to go to dinner tonight because everyone else is going. Let’s try something like this:

Thought in the present moment: “I think that I need to go out to dinner tonight because everyone else is going.”

vs.

Feeling in the present moment: “Right now I feel drained and sluggish.”

Insight: I might think I should go to dinner because I don’t want to miss out/I feel pressure to go/I want to go. But when I pause to acknowledge how I am feeling, I realize it might make more sense for me to stay home and rest so I have the authentic energy to do the things I need to and want to do for myself and others in my community.

This insight and ability to differentiate between your thoughts vs. your feelings can make all the difference in how you take care of your and other’s needs day to day. Then, you might even have the energy for that dinner out!!

Have you stopped to notice your thoughts vs your feelings? It can be more complicated than it seems! Give it a try. **Hint**I might even search for a Feelings Wheel online for reference. Turns out there are tons of feelings we experience day to day.