65% of The Content We Consume Is Negative - Here Is How Women Can Rewrite The Script
When I tell women that 65% of the content we consume is negative, the first reaction is often. “I thought it was more.” And they often follow up with: “I try to include more positivity in my life, but it’s not always easy.” Can you relate?
And this is not surprising; science tells us that our brains are wired to see the negative. On average, for every negative thought, we need three positive ones to make it neutral and six for every negative one to make it truly positive.
That statistic could be depressing, but your brain is only trying to protect you - and the good news is that we can train our brains to see the positive.
Your Brain doesn’t discern between truth and fiction
One thing we know about our brain is that it feeds on the narratives we hold within it and whatever content we consume every day. The combination of both is what creates our reality, because your brain will constantly search for whatever its software runs on. Basically, our brain is biased.
Your brain is malleable
Thankfully, our brain is also malleable, so every day, we get an opportunity to clear old thought patterns, heal the emotions within them, create new thoughts, and infuse our brain with positivity to fuel it.
It starts with a narrative
Every story starts with a narrative - and more specifically - the words we choose create our reality, literally. Neuroscience shows that the language we use wires the brain: repeat a word often enough, and it becomes the lens through which we see ourselves and the world. Call a setback a failure and you shut down. Call it a lesson and suddenly there’s room for growth.
Here is an exercise for you:
Write down a short paragraph about yourself. Be very honest. Don’t overthink it. It’s important that you don’t censor the thoughts that come to your head. Now, read it back and examine if it is negatively biased. Is this story told with love? Are you using a lot of negative words like ‘But’ or do you follow up a compliment with a negative? Meditate on it. This is the start of your positive journey!
Tools to Rewire Your brain
No one ever teaches us how to look after our brain and our mindset, which is odd because our thoughts can literally make or break our day. When I was in the throes of perimenopause anxiety, I spent a whole day listening to my thoughts and although I had an inkling that some were negative, I hadn’t realised how entrenched they were. Worse, I had no idea how wide ranging they were from simple complaining to jealousy etc. That first step opened my eyes and made me want to research more about how I could make a real difference in my life. The 6 elements of my book, Reboot your Story, became the tools that I learned along the way:
- Rewrite: Words shape your reality
- Adapt: train your brain to think more positively
- Heal: health the emotions and personal wounds that trigger you
- Positivity: Learn how to harness the fuel for a happy life
- Connect: Heal internalised misogyny and connect with women to amplify your voice.
- Empower: Find your true purpose in life and lead with confidence
To find out more and join the movement:
- Buy Reboot Your Story
- Follow us social media: @bfmedialounge
