Most of our stress and frustration comes from our resistance to letting go of certain thoughts and beliefs. Often, we’re unaware of how tightly we’re holding onto these ideas, which can lead to prolonged stress and even impact our relationships and well-being. Let’s break down a practical way to identify and release the thoughts that cause us stress.
Identifying the Root Thought
Think about a situation or a person that’s currently stressing you out. Now ask yourself: what specific thought do I have about this situation or person that causes my stress or frustration? This thought may feel so “true” that you may not even notice it as a thought at all; it’s simply your reality.
To clarify this, try writing down your thought with one of these prompts:
• “They shouldn’t …”
• “If I fail, it will mean …”
• “I wish things weren’t so …”
These prompts can reveal hidden beliefs that might be causing your stress. Fill in the blank, and see if any thoughts or beliefs emerge that might be adding to your frustration.
Seeing your thought as a belief, not the truth
Once you’ve identified the thought or belief, consider how true it feels. Does it feel like an undeniable fact? Most likely, this belief feels strongly rooted in your perception, which is why it’s so hard to let go.
However, what if this thought isn’t an absolute truth? What if it’s just one way of seeing the situation? Try challenging the thought by considering its opposite. For instance, if you feel that someone “always” behaves a certain way, can you think of a time when they acted differently? Or if you feel like “nothing ever goes your way,” can you remember instances when life brought you unexpected gifts or support?
Imagining life without the belief
This step may feel a bit surprising, but try imagining how life would be if you didn’t hold this belief. Take a moment to visualize how that would feel. Would there be relief, maybe even a sense of peace?
In that instant, when you let yourself imagine life without this belief, you’re practicing letting go. You’re giving yourself permission to view your situation from a new angle. This small mental shift can bring a sense of ease and help you approach the situation with more clarity and patience.
Practicing letting go daily
The key to reducing stress is not just letting go once but making it a practice. Each time you feel stress or frustration building up, go through these steps. Ask yourself:
• What thought or belief is behind this frustration?
• How true does this thought feel to me?
• Could the opposite be true?
• What would life look like if I let this belief go?
By practicing these steps consistently, you’ll gradually strengthen your ability to release stressful thoughts and cultivate a more peaceful mindset.
Final thoughts
Letting go of deeply held beliefs is a process. Some beliefs are rooted in years of experience and may take time to unravel. But each time you practice questioning a stressful thought, you build resilience and open yourself up to a more flexible and compassionate way of viewing the world.
Consider adopting this as a daily practice, especially when you feel stress or frustration arise. With time, you’ll likely find that you can handle challenging situations with greater calm and clarity, ultimately reducing the hold that stress has on your life.
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