What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts?

There are so many suggestions out there for how to handle negative thoughts. Mine are usually about things I have some semblance of control over. Like body issues, self esteem issues, and so on.

For me, the only way I have found to combat them is to formulate a plan to fix whatever I am upset about. Body issues usually get more exercise. Confidence in my writing issues, I look over reviews and comments on my previous work. Feeling like a terrible partner or mother, I go and plan a special quality time activity as well as do a few chores to help them out.

Telling myself that the negative thoughts are nonsense never completely works for me. I like to have a plan, to be able to do something about it. I try to keep it within realistic boundaries of expectations.

I used to suffer from rather chronic suicidal ideation when I was at university and before. It is not such a prevent problem any more, but I can feel the tendrils starting to build up over time. It is an extremely difficult thing to overcome because once your brain knows the pathways, it is so quick for you to fall back into the old traps. A lot of the healing comes from identifying when it starts to happen and learning how to interrupt it. Pushing past your own disccomfort and finding an outlet that will dispute where your brain is trying to go.

I typically call someone who cares about me. We have a perfectly normal conversation and that is all I really need. To know someone out there still cares and treats me the way they always did, like a friend or family member. It tends to burst the bubble of self doubt so much faster than anything else. A genuine conversation with someone who knows you is priceless. If you cannot get a hold of someone else, or perhaps you do not have someone else, then going out and having normal interactions with other people is nice. Go to the library and ask for help locating books you might be interested in. Great way to have a meaningful conversation with a stranger. You talk about shared interests and are given things to read that you will care about.

Very small things can change the direction your brain is going. The important thing is learning to recognize it early and interrupt it before its roots become deep again. It is a struggle, especially at the beginning, but the important thing is to teach yourself not to wallow in the funk. Learn what helps you and refine it, make sure to have alternatives, and above all else remember that the thoughts are only in your head.