If you know me or have worked with me before, you’ve probably heard me say this a thousand times. Thoughts are just thoughts, and we only give them power when we act on them. It’s more useful to learn to watch and accept our thoughts. This gives us space to make our next move based on the task at hand, rather than on the thoughts that pop up. We don’t have to be held captive by our thoughts.
This idea is at the forefront of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT, developed by Dr. Steven C. Hayes, teaches us how to view our thoughts through a lens of acceptance, curiosity, and openness. We reserve the freedom to choose how we respond when we view our thoughts through this lens.
