🌀 Cognitive Distortion Spotlight: Emotional Reasoning
Emotional reasoning happens when we believe our feelings are facts. Instead of checking reality, we assume that because we feel something, it must be true. This distortion can quietly shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. We don't want to dismiss/ignore the feelings, but we don't want to let them override decision making either. (this is similar to the idea of emotions as informers rather than CEOs). I thought we'd bring it back because it's one that's fairly common!
✨ Examples of Emotional Reasoning:
- 😔 “I feel worthless, so I must not have any value.”
- 😨 “I feel anxious about this situation, so it must be dangerous.”
- 😡 “I’m angry at you, so you must have done something wrong.”
- 😩 “I feel overwhelmed, so I can’t handle this.”
💡 Why it’s a problem:Emotions are powerful, but they are not always accurate signals of reality. They can signal/inform us about something, but they could be mistaken in their target. Emotional reasoning can lead to unnecessary fear, self-doubt, and conflict. It traps us in a cycle where feelings reinforce distorted beliefs, making it harder to break free.
🌱 Healthier Perspective:Feelings are information, not proof. We can acknowledge them without letting them dictate the truth. By pausing and asking, “What evidence do I have that supports or challenges this feeling?”, we create space for balance and clarity. By asking, "What are you actually trying to tell me?" , we can get beneath the first layer and actually address what's going on.
🌱 Overcoming Emotional Reasoning
It’s natural to trust our feelings, but when emotions start to dictate reality, we can fall into the trap of emotional reasoning. The good news is that with awareness and practice, we can create healthier patterns of thinking. Woo hoo!! :) :)
✨ Practical Strategies:
- 🔍 Reality Check: Ask yourself, “What are the facts that support this thought? What evidence goes against it?”
- ✏️ Write It Out: Journaling helps separate feelings from facts. Seeing thoughts on paper makes them easier to challenge. I've done this many times and it is effective! Saying it out loud and recording it and playing it back can do something similar.
- 💬 Talk It Through: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, mentor, or therapist who can offer perspective. :)
- 🧘 Mindfulness: Notice emotions without judgment. Remind yourself, “This is a feeling, not a fact.”--we talked about cognitive defusion previously; we can do some similar things with feelings as well!
- 🎯 Reframe the Thought: Replace “I feel like I can’t do this” with “This feels hard, but I’ve overcome challenges before.”
- 🕰️ Pause Before Reacting: Give yourself time to calm down before making decisions when emotions run high. It can be challenging to want to pause (sometimes we go into fight/flight) and want to resolve an issue right away or flee from it. A pause can give some space to breathe and allow room for other things to come through too!
💡 Takeaway:Feelings are important signals, but they don’t always tell the whole story. By slowing down and testing our thoughts, we create room for wisdom, balance, and healthier choices. Discernment is important and sometimes when we just buy in to the feelings, it gets us in trouble.
****This is not about not trusting your gut or intuition....This is about giving space so that that piece can come through more clearly.
👉Question to ponder; Have you ever caught yourself believing your emotions were facts? How did it affect your choices or relationships?
4
7 comments
🌀 Cognitive Distortion Spotlight: Emotional Reasoning
powered by
skool.com/inspired-life-empowered-being-7894
Supportive environment where we are encouraged to increase our awareness, take action, and thrive through life's many challenges. Inspire.Empower.Live
Suggested communities
Powered by