Mar 26, 2021
In my latest Mind Body Connection Series episode, I explore the importance of Black and white thinking — when to apply it and in what way. In the world of psychology, we tend to praise people who develop shades of gray thinking, referring to the ability to see the mixed qualities of individuals, experiences, and things. This is a great trait to develop for your interactions in the outside world, but it can prevent being able to resolve symptoms in your relationship with you. For example, you need shades of gray thinking to be able to take the perspective of the other to be able to get along well in the world, but this mature, developed, nuanced thinking can also get you into trouble with doubt!
The key to black and white thinking — when we see things with greater certainty as being one way alone — is to be able to dip into it when you need it and come back out relatively quickly again, so that you can be more certain where you need to and not let all of the different perspectives cloud what you can understand about your mind body process. One important distinction I discuss in this video is how these black and white thoughts are not meant for the outside world; they are, instead, to be used in your internal experience with yourself to come to a decision of how you are going to view your own traumas, your childhood experience, your relationships with others, and your relationship with your symptoms.
Using science and logic has a lot of black and white thinking in it, but the good news is, that is not where subjective experience is needed. The same is true with understanding your symptoms and what to do about them. There are consistencies and rules you can use once you establish clarity on your experience of symptom life through black and white thinking. Don’t miss out on this valuable action step of thinking to be able to assert your power over your symptoms.