Challenging thoughts, beliefs, and values as we develop new insights create a highly uncomfortable feeling called cognitive dissonance.
Frantz Fanon once said… Sometimes people hold a very strong core belief. The new evidence cannot be accepted when presented with evidence that works against that belief.
Cognitive Dissonance; challenging thoughts, beliefs, and values
During our wellness journey, we must recognize when our internal thinking patterns no longer serve us. The core belief, they will rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief. Cognitive dissonance helps us adjust to uncomfortable situations.
Think about when you were faced with a decision to step outside of your comfort zone… and instead, you said NOPE and sat back down. That’s cognitive dissonance coming to back you up. It helps us reduce anxiety at a future point in our lives.
Transforming Your Beliefs Into Core Values
Sometimes this approach our brain has to our decision-making is helpful but sometimes detrimental to our wellbeing.
This is where we can practice self-awareness and mindfulness. Examining our commitments and decisions, we better understand how we manage our internal dissonance. You know I love to reflect and make sense of patterns. It’s a great way to explore or challenge yourself.
“We desperately don’t want to experience shame, and we’re not willing to talk about it. Yet the only way to resolve shame is to talk about it. Maybe we’re afraid of topics like love and shame. Most of us like safety, certainty, and clarity. Shame and love are grounded in vulnerability and tenderness.”
Brené Brown
Start listening to that internal discomfort. Make room for it and accept it as a part of our growth. It might have a lot to say.
With Intention, Sarafina