More often than not, we may face various difficulties in our life. We may not get what we want and, instead, get a lot of what we do not want. However, when we change our point of view on any situation we go through, although the facts remain the same, a deliberate change will be made in how we perceive it.
What is Reframing?
Reframing is a “technique used in therapy to help create a different way of looking at a situation, person, or relationship by changing its meaning. Also referred to as cognitive reframing, it is a strategy used often by therapists to help clients look at situations from a slightly different perspective.” An example of reframing could be redefining a problem as a challenge. Redefining a problem activates a different way of thinking, dealing, and being. While the word problem has such a heavy quality and meaning to it, redefining it as challenge enlivens you and changes your whole perspective on what you are dealing with.
Benefits of Reframing
Reframing helps you become more optimistic. Its main goal is to redefine your negative thoughts and transform them into positive thoughts that are beneficial for you. In most therapeutic practices, cognitive reframing may be used in order to help people improve their memory, reduce their anxiety, and to deal with their problems in an efficient way overall. Consequently, by reframing your negative thoughts into more valuable thoughts, you are attracting more positivity into your life.
Tips for Reframing
Some tips for reframing and redefining include:
- Writing down your thoughts
- Fact-checking yourself on the thoughts you are experiencing
- Switching from asking “is this true?” to “is this helpful?”
- Asking yourself what you would say to a friend with the same thought
- Going for realistic, not positive
- Turning a thought into an action you think will make you feel better
Reframing is not an easy task to perform but, as you shift your way of thinking towards a situation into a more beneficial one, you will also be changing the way you perceive life and your meaning. You can choose to transform this negativity into something more powerful: hope. This process allows you to expand your view on a better reality.