“Your Thoughts Are Not Facts” – I believe this simple statement has the power to be transformative.
Every day, we experience thousands of thoughts — a constant inner commentary trying to make sense of the world around us. These thoughts are shaped by so many things: our upbringing, culture, social norms, past experiences, even our gender. Sometimes they offer helpful insights. But here’s the catch — they are not always accurate. Our thoughts are biased. They’re not objective truths.
Think about this: have you ever had an argument where both you and the other person were convinced you were right? It’s not necessarily that one of you was wrong. More often, it’s that you were seeing the same situation through different mental filters — your individual histories, emotions, and beliefs.
As a Clinical Psychologist with nearly 20 years’ experience, I’ve taught this concept to many people. But I’ll be honest — I didn’t always feel it in my bones for myself. Intellectually, I knew thoughts weren’t facts. But for years, I still accepted my inner narrator’s voice as truth.
Then, something shifted.
I had one of those moments where the penny drops — and I realised I didn’t have to buy into every story my mind was telling me. What a relief that was.
Sometimes our minds get stuck in “threat mode.” They zoom in on danger, criticism, or self-doubt. In those moments, it’s hard to access the calm, compassionate perspective that might offer a fuller picture.
But once we start noticing thoughts for what they are — just thoughts and not facts — we get more freedom. We create space to respond rather than react. We gain more choice.
This idea alone has been life-changing for many of my clients. And for me too.
If you find yourself caught in a cycle of unhelpful thinking, know that you’re not alone. Therapy can offer a safe place to explore these patterns and build a different relationship with yourself. If this resonates with you and you’d like to explore it further, please do reach out to me – I’d love to hear from you.
