Embrace your thoughts and feelings without judgment from "summary" of The Happiness Trap Pocketbook by Dr Russ Harris,Russ Harris,Bev Aisbett
When we suggest that you embrace your thoughts and feelings without judgment, we are not talking about agreeing with them or acting on them. It's about accepting them as they are, without trying to change them or push them away. This may sound simple, but it's not always easy to do. Our minds are wired to evaluate, judge, and problem-solve, so it's natural for us to react to our thoughts and feelings with judgment. However, when we judge our thoughts and feelings, we often end up feeling worse, not better. When we judge our thoughts as "bad" or "wrong," we create a sense of inner conflict that can lead to anxiety, guilt, or shame. Similarly, when we judge our feelings as "unpleasant" or "unwanted," we can end up trying to suppress or avoid them, which only makes them stronger. On the other hand, when we embrace our thoughts and feelings without judgment, we can create space for them to come and go on their own. This allows us to develop a different relationship with our inner experiences, one that is based on acceptance rather than avoidance or control.
Embracing your thoughts and feelings without judgment is not about giving them free rein or letting them dictate your actions. It's about acknowledging them as part of your internal landscape, without getting caught up in them. When you can observe your thoughts and feelings with curiosity and openness, you may start to see them for what they really are: passing mental events that don't necessarily reflect reality. This can help you develop a greater sense of perspective and flexibility in how you respond to your inner experiences.
By practicing acceptance and nonjudgmental awareness, you can learn to ride the waves of your thoughts and feelings without being swept away by them. This doesn't mean that you will never experience difficult thoughts or feelings again, but it does mean that you will be better equipped to handle them when they arise. So, the next time you notice a thought or feeling that you would rather not have, try to take a step back and simply observe it without judgment. You may be surprised at how liberating it can be to let go of the struggle and embrace your inner world as it is.
