Self-compassion and optimism:
What is optimism?
First Vid
According to Dr. Seligman, the definition of optimism is being unaffected by setbacks or thinking that they are temporary, compared to a pessimistic person, who may think that setbacks last forever.
Second Vid
Optimism is generating more accurate thinking, good for your health, possible to learn, related to your ability to achieve success
Learned optimism is optimism that can be taught from habit. If one learns to think optimistically whenever appropriate, one could develop a more optimistic attitude towards life
It is not about just being happy.
Pessimist: Permanent, It will last forever
Optimist: Temporary, This will pass
Pessimist: Pervasive, The (negative) event is representative of all facets of yourself, and you will be like this in all situations
Optimist: Local This is specific to this situation, and under different circumstances, the results could change
Pessimist: Personal, It is entirely my fault, and negative things that occur to me primarily say something about me rather than the circumstances at hand
Optimist: Not personal, It is not entirely my fault, not everything negative that occurs to me is a reminder of my personal character
Pessimist: Uncontrollable, I can’t change this
Optimist: Controllable, I can change this
Third Vid:
How can we reframe our feelings?
Everyone will feel nervous under pressure. However, Olympic athletes interpret that sense of nervousness as excitement. We can do something similar with our emotions by reframing a negative emotion into a positive one. By continuously telling oneself that it is not nervousness you are feeling, but excitement, your brain will turn that thought into reality.
What questions does this video provoke?
Does this reframing work for all emotions?
If one learns to reframe one’s positive feelings into negative ones, how can one break this habit?
How does the brain emit emotions in the first place, if all it takes to change them is a bit of reframing?
What are some of the effects that negative emotions can bring?
Self-talk
This mechanism of talking to myself in the second or third person can work for me when I am feeling demotivated or am procrastinating on something that needs to be done.
This mechanism may work when I am exercising and wish to push myself further.