Source
r/TimeToGo•
Seriously93

What does the phrase, "Thoughts create feelings", mean to you? I'm thinking this over as 'homework' for the next time I meet my therapist (who is excellent, btw).

I mentioned before that I've got a really great therapist who understands me, is very accepting of who I am and has been helpful to me so far.(I had a terrible one before but that's another long story)

As my "homework" this week I'm supposed to do the following:

  1. think about the statement "Thoughts create feelings."

  2. describe my initial opinion on that briefly (she knows I can go on and on I guess ;)

  3. design an experiment to test out my theory /opinion in real life in a way that doesn't involve expensive lab equipment, explosives, or have a decades long timeframe (she really knows me!)

So while I admit I have a quirky personality (and so this exercise might be "not relatable for everyone") , and that it's my homework (I'm not sure if I am allowed to "ask a friend") I was wondering what ideas /thoughts/insights you have.

I'm sort of researching now Thanks

Posted Apr 5, 2018, 3:12 PM UTC · edited

819
Bitt3rMan•

She's trying to get you to realize that you can change how you feel by changing what you think about. As an example you can choose something to watch on Netflix or Youtube that can influence you toward anger, happiness, sadness, etc by influencing your thoughts. Emotions in turn can feed back into and influence your thinking, but the point is that you do have an opportunity to willfully influence the process via your thoughts and decisions.

10
Seriously93OP•

Ah I see. Thanks for the info. So are you able to see this effect in your own life? I see how this could maybe be useful at times. And good ideas about the experiment - thx

1
AITY4883•

Basically, she's trying to say you should be an ignorant piece of shit and ignore the problems in the world like everyone else because if you care about the truth even slightly you'll neck yourself. (And also,go back to working and being a parasite all your life you idiot no good consumer.) <-what they think

3
Bitt3rMan•

I think an all negative viewpoint is just as untruthful as a Pollyanna one.

6
Seriously93OP•

Good point!

3
MiserableBastard199522yo male with bonus Aspergers•

This is fucking perfect, I'm 'borrowing' this as a retort for my shrink.

Each to thier own though, I wish you all the best with your shrink, u/seriously93.

3
Seriously93OP•

Thanks! Would be interesting to hear what you're says

3
Seriously93OP•

I'm going to ask mine this too and see what she says

2
[deleted]•

how you think can change your lifes reality

6
[deleted]•

[deleted]

5
AITY4883•

"Thoughts create feelings" No shit. Why make such a simple thing sound like it has deeper meaning and confuse/deceive people?

It's like me saying "Thoughts make you sad,change what you think about and be happy." Your mother died? Who gives a shit. Go watch a movie. Change your thughts. Want to neck yourself because you are a slave to the government? Naaah. Just think about s2 ep 6 of that show maaan.

I hate all theraphists because they are ALL BIASED. That is their job. To keep you alive and "a functioning member of society" A.K.A a sheep that gets fucked over on the daily and won't say a thing against it. No theraphist will say "yes...it's your choice. Killing yourself does stop your pain." Or "if you don't want to deal with life than suicide is the right choice."

6
Seriously93OP•

Actually mine does say that it is my choice to suicide or not. She says she is trying to help me live my life to the fullest however long I'm here for. Which I find refreshing & it sounds like it's rare?

5
Seriously93OP•

I should say though that she did give me a talk at the beginning about the limits of it being confidential conversation. For her if we are talking about general ideas and suicide thoughts and desires it's all ok. However if I were to tell her I'm leaving her office to immediately murder or harm someone else right away or that I was leaving her office to suicide imminently she would have to notify. I think there are different rules/laws in different countries. So I was good with that . I know the rules she has to go by, and I can still talk quite freely about what's on my mind about anything. Seems good so far.

3
Bitt3rMan•

Or maybe your mother died but perhaps death is not the end.

2
KeepGettingBannedSMH•

I think you're the first person I've ever met who actually likes and respect their therapist lol.

3
DaTingGoesSkr•

I liked my former counselor. I just stopped seing her because we were both set on our perspectives on life. She even told me once that she saw where I was coming from, but the emotional pro-life bias trumps reason, so she was set in her outlook.

3
Seriously93OP•

Yup This one is really great. My previous one (I've only had 2) was so bad I'm surprised I tried again!

2