Why does self as context matter?Īs an observer, you can watch what happens internally with some level of detachment. Over time, the believe that you cannot change and deep-seated resistance to other options become solidified. Overidentifying with these thoughts can lead this addict to feel as though they have no other choice but to respond by using.Īttachment to the conceptualized self leads to hopelessness and resignation, as you find yourself repeating destructive patterns despite not wanting to continue. Similarly, an addict feeling an urge to use their drug of choice might have the thought, “This is the only thing that makes me feel good.” Believing that narrative, they remember previous euphoric experiences that came after using their drug of choice and feel desire to use again. Even if this is a habit that annoys me, my belief that it is true about myself will influence my behavior. For example, if I believe the narrative that I am always late, chances are I will not arrive to meetings or appointments on time. These stories about ourselves dictate our actions in response to a thought, memory, emotion or urge. These can be long-standing narratives adopted from a young age, that came out of abuse, or that we’ve heard from others in our adult years. We tell ourselves stories we believe to be true about who we are. We begin to feel stuck, unable to change the patterns that are causing us more harm than good. to who we are as people, we often become locked into rigid ways of responding to the world around us. In contrast, when we link our thoughts, emotions, urges, memories, etc. In the observer role, you notice that while your self contains these internal experiences, they are not one and the same with the whole of who you are. Your internal experiences don’t need to define your identity. Who you are is not the same as your fleeting feelings, urges, physical sensations, memories, or thoughts. What does it mean to see your self as your context? Rather than overidentifying with your thoughts or other internal experiences, self as context requires you to view yourself through the lens of an observer who sees all parts of you, not just the one you’re experiencing right in this moment. With this next concept, we’ll take observing deeper, exploring how you can separate the products of your mind from your identity – who you are as a person – in order to offer alternative ways of responding to your circumstances. Observing shows you how circumstances outside of your control affect you and lead you to struggle with acceptance. Contact with the present moment allows you to notice your thoughts, feelings, memories, or urges, as well as how you assign power to them in a way that influences your behavior. We’ve also explained and practiced thought defusion, lessening the power we assign to the products of our mind, like our thoughts and feelings.Īll these steps involve taking on the role of an observer. We’ve reviewed what acceptance is and isn’t, and discussed how practicing acceptance leads to more openness through releasing what is outside of our control. We’ve discussed using mindful awareness to remain in contact with the present moment in order to observe and take notice of your internal world. In our series on Acceptance and Commitment therapy, we have laid the foundation of several basic principles of ACT.
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