From Catastrophising to Trusting Soothing the Whirlwind
Whirlwind sums up the quality of catastrophising. When we are catastrophising we are not thinking in a logical way, it is the opposite of logic. All our fears become muddled and swirling and we start time traveling into a future which is not set. Often when we are catastrophising the most is when we are depleted.
Along with catastrophising we may be feeling anxiety, fear and panic and its useful to label these emotions as tending to the emotions driving the catastrophising can help to soothe it. And soothing is the word because we cannot force or shame ourselves out of catastrophising. Catastrophising needs soothing and grounding.
In this youtube video with Maria Leon of illuminate parenting www.illuminateparenting.com/ we talk about some practical techniques to help you when you are catastrophising. One really simple one is to just write everything down that is swirling around in your head. I recently did this with my group coaching cohort and it was really powerful. For some it brought up shame and tears whilst for others it made them laugh because what they saw was some things that with a clear eyed perspective seemed unrealistic.
How Parent Coaching Can Help
Hi, I am Emily a Conscious Parenting Coach Catastrophising is one reason why someone would come see a parent coach. And that trust piece is the goal when I’m working with clients. Inner trust to be able to see your parenting problems from an expansive perspective with clarity and the confidence to respond rather than react.
Have a look at my 1:1 and co parent coaching.
5 Ways to Soothe Catastrophising
1) Speak to yourself in the voice of benevolent leadership- what would a wise elder/ benevolent guide say to you about your issue
2) Best Possible Outcome- Spend some time imagining the best possible outcome. If you are prone to catastrophising this can be a powerful weekly practice of visioning a future where you and your child are thriving
3) Consider how well resourced you are- maybe what you don’t need to do is try to quiet the voice of catastrophe, maybe instead you just need a break. Consider what resources you, a walk in the park, a bath, fun times with friends
4) Breathing through it and telling yourself you are safe- Catastrophising is time travelling into the future so grounding into the present and riding the wave and reminding yourself that the present is all you have
5) Seek a friend or partner who can give you some logic- Most of the time logic bombs are a negative way to respond to someone experiencing big emotions but if you are really stuck in catastrophising logic can be grounding having someone tell you the facts in a clear eyed way can be a relief.
