Have you ever heard the phrase “feelings aren’t facts”? It’s a simple yet powerful statement that can help us to better understand our emotions and how they relate to reality. In this post, we’ll explore the idea that feelings are not facts and what that means for our mental health.

When we experience a feeling, it can be easy to assume that it is a direct reflection of reality. For example, if we feel sad, we might assume that there must be something in our life causing that sadness. Or if we feel anxious, we might assume that there is a real danger that we need to be worried about. However, these assumptions are not always accurate.

Feelings are subjective experiences that are influenced by a range of factors, including our thoughts, beliefs, and past experiences. In other words, our feelings are not always a direct reflection of what is happening in the external world. They can be influenced by our internal world as well.

For example, let’s say that you have a big presentation coming up at work. You might feel anxious about it, assuming that your anxiety is a direct response to the presentation itself. However, if you take a step back and examine your thoughts and beliefs about the presentation, you might realize that your anxiety is actually rooted in your fear of failure or of being judged by others. In this case, your anxiety is not a direct reflection of the reality of the presentation, but rather an emotional response that is influenced by your internal world.

So what does this mean for our mental health? It means that we need to be careful about how we interpret and respond to our feelings. If we assume that our feelings are always accurate reflections of reality, we might end up making unhelpful or even harmful decisions based on those feelings. For example, if we feel anxious about a social situation, we might avoid that situation altogether, even if it is something that we would actually enjoy or benefit from.

Instead, we can learn to recognize that our feelings are not always facts and that they are not always a direct reflection of reality. This can help us to respond to our feelings in a more balanced and helpful way. For example, if we feel anxious about a situation, we might take a step back and examine our thoughts and beliefs about that situation. We might challenge any unhelpful or distorted thoughts and work to reframe them in a more positive or realistic way.

By recognizing that our feelings are not always facts, we can gain more control over our emotional responses and make decisions that are more aligned with our values and goals. We can learn to respond to our feelings in a more balanced and thoughtful way, rather than simply reacting to them as if they are always accurate reflections of reality. Ultimately, this can lead to greater emotional well-being and a more fulfilling life.

Contact Me

If you need help managing your emotions, please contact me, clinical psychologist, Dr. Christine Dickson through my website.