Skill

Separate Thoughts From Feelings

Distinguish what you feel from what you believe happened.

What it is

Thoughts and feelings are connected, but they are not the same thing.

How to do it

Notice the sentence in your head.

Ask whether it describes an emotion or an interpretation.

Name the actual emotion.

Examine the thought separately.

Choose behavior after checking both.

Remember

Feelings are real. Interpretations can still be wrong.

Want to understand this more deeply?

Chapter 2: Understand What I’m Feeling

Read the story and teaching behind this skill, then come back here when you want to practice it.

Identify what you know versus what your mind filled in.

Examine the meaning you added to what happened.

Put an accurate word to the emotion instead of acting it out.