Johnny Belgium

Hello. I am so glad you reached out. It is incredibly draining to carry the weight of a ruminative loop for weeks at a time. Please know that you are not alone in this; it is a very common feature of how the human brain processes distress, but that doesn't make it any less painful. Here is an explanation of what is happening in your brain during these loops, followed by actionable strategies to help you step off the merry-go-round. Part 1: How Rumination Works To stop the loop, we have to understand why the brain starts it. 1. The "False Problem-Solving" Trap Evolutionarily, your brain is designed to solve problems to keep you safe. When you feel "put down" or read something hateful, your brain identifies a threat to your social standing or your values.  * The Glitch: Your brain thinks, "If I replay this scenario enough times, I will find a solution, understand why it happened, or protect myself from it happening again."  * The Reality: Rumination is n...

Hello! It is a pleasure to step in as your digital therapist today. First, I want to validate exactly what you are feeling. Struggling to start (inertia) and struggling to finish (stamina) are not signs of laziness or incompetence. Often, they are signs of perfectionism, overwhelm, or simply how your brain regulates executive function. The good news is that we don’t need to change your personality; we just need to "hack" your workflow. Here is a therapeutic approach to breaking the cycle of procrastination. Phase 1: Breaking the Inertia (How to Start) The hardest part of any project is the first five minutes. The brain views a large, undefined task as a "threat" to your energy and comfort levels. 1. The "Salami Slice" Method When you look at a project like "Clean the house" or "Write the report," your brain freezes because the task is too big. You need to slice it down until the slice is so thin it looks ridiculous to say "no"...

That's a really insightful and self-aware question to ask. Recognizing potential blind spots is the first step toward positive change. Often, toxic behaviors we don't realize we're doing stem from insecurity, poor coping mechanisms, or learned habits. Here are a few common examples: 🙅‍♀️ Communication Traps  * "Mind-Reading" or Making Assumptions: Assuming you know what others are thinking or feeling without asking, and then reacting to that assumption. This can lead to unearned defensiveness or accusation.  * Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Expressing negative feelings indirectly instead of addressing the issue head-on. This might look like subtle sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or the silent treatment.  * Oversharing/Seeking Constant Validation: Using conversations to dump emotional baggage on people without checking if they are in a place to receive it, or constantly fishing for compliments and reassurance.  * Interrupting/One-Upmanship: Regularly cutting people...

 

  Click Here For A Link To My TikTok I try to post positive things. Have a magical day on this tiny struggling planet. 🧡🖖🌱💧