The Past and its Relationship to The Future
Thinking about the past is an entirely normal thing to do. Our history shapes us and impacts who we are, our world views, and our decisions. However, focusing on the past too much can have a negative effect, as it may mean you cannot look clearly at the present or future life in front of you.
What’s important to remember is that who you were five, ten, or fifteen years ago is a different version of the you who exists today and who will live in the next five, ten or fifteen years. What has happened in your past doesn’t have to define who you are today; it doesn’t have to define the future, either. Not letting past mistakes or events define you or your present is vital.
Your thoughts drive your feelings, and your feelings are often subconscious responses triggered by your memories and experiences of past events.
Focusing on adverse events that have happened in the past can impact your present and your future negatively. If you focus too much on the bad things, you’ll likely believe that you’ve done wrong in the past or caused negative things that have happened to you, which can reinforce negative thinking.
Negative thoughts can make you feel anxious, upset, triggered, and contribute to low self-worth. Psychologists link negative thinking to depression, chronic worry, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [source].
Going over and over and over events from the past won’t change them and is a waste of the time you have today. Instead of focusing precious thoughts and time on historical events, try to focus on being present in the here and now.
So, how can you help yourself from being stuck in thoughts of the past, free your mind and start living the life you truly deserve?
Practice mindfulness – the goal is to achieve a state of focused relaxation where you pay attention to the present moment and current thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness allows the mind to focus on the here and now rather than the past or future.
Focus on the positive - if you find yourself ruminating on negative thoughts and events of the past, instead try thinking about positive things happening in the here and now. Think about all the things you’re grateful for and all the things that make you a strong, beautiful, independent person who can do whatever you put your mind to.
Get professional help– Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) uses hypnosis to get to the root cause of why your thoughts are focused on the past and can help you free your mind and live in the present. You’ll see a difference after just one session and can be transformed after three sessions.Book a free discovery call now to find out more.
