Negativity and positivity are part of being human, and we don’t always control when or how these thoughts appear. We can try to prepare ourselves, recognize patterns, or even take a break through sleep, but that only offers a temporary pause in this ongoing mental dialogue.
It wouldn’t make sense to deny negative thoughts. Thinking that only positive thoughts matter oversimplifies how our minds work. If we think of thoughts like processes, even negative ones serve a purpose, much like electricity relies on both positive and negative charges.
Ancient Chinese wisdom captures this balance in the concept of Yin and Yang, showing that this duality has held relevance across cultures and still feels true today.
It helps to remember that the negative thoughts I notice in myself also exist in others. Denying them would be like denying the struggles of those around me. No matter what I do, some people will question my intentions, seeing negativity where I may not have intended it.
Coming to terms with these internal negative thoughts and working through them is part of my journey. It can feel like a never-ending struggle at times, but these challenges give life meaning, allowing me to experience emotions that make accomplishments feel real and grounded.
I might create something today that feels perfect, only to notice its flaws later. This happens not just in my own work, but in the evolution of technology, morality, and the values shaped by religion throughout history.
I don’t have all the answers, but I can try to observe these thoughts without letting them define me, approaching them with patience and kindness. This is what I understand as self-compassion.
I acknowledge that these thoughts exist and that they are not me. I see why they arise and how I can move past them gently.
Writing these reflections here doesn’t mean I’m immune to these negative thoughts or that I’ve mastered them. It’s simply a reminder of how connected we all are as humans, from our thoughts and actions to the smallest parts of our existence.