Flipping the script

Within the realm of mental health and coping with stress, interpersonal conflict or unfortunate circumstances - there are ultimately only two options to explore in the way of addressing these: Changing the circumstances or changing our narrative behind those circumstances. There’s not much we can do beyond that.

There’s something valuable in recognizing that we are all operating through the lense of SOME type of narrative. For example, you can have two different people get in a fender bender on the same day. Person number one can let it ruin their day, if not their week by having the narrative be “why me” or “I should have been more careful - I’m the worst!” Whereas person number two might have a narrative in the way of “wow, I’m so grateful to be alive” or “Imagine if my car would have been totaled!”.

The point in all of this is to say is being mindful of our narrative can go a long way in improving our mental health.

There’s an exercise that leans into this idea where you challenge yourself 2x/day to “flip the script”. You simply go through your day being mindful of opportunities to change the narrative. The hope is that through doing this at least 2x/day it becomes something of a second nature.

If you think you’d benefit from more thought-reframing techniques, reach out to Philadelphia therapist Noam Dinovitz specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, substance abuse issues and stress management concerns.

Noam can be reached at 484 424-7722 or noam@dinovitzcounseling.com