You Are Not Your Thoughts: What It Means and Why It’s Important

Do believe you are your thoughts? If so, there’s a big chance they have more power over you than you realize.

I’ve spent most of my life thinking there was no difference between my thoughts and me. In fact, I’d never even considered the difference.

Every time I had an anxious thought or a fearful thought, I wouldn’t question it. I wholeheartedly believed that my thoughts were true and that I should pay attention to them.

The result was that I would often let these thoughts stop me from taking action on something that was important to me.

When I learned that I am not my thoughts, it was a complete eye-opener for me. You mean, I don’t have to listen to all those negative thoughts?

The concept that “you are not your thoughts” means that your thoughts are separate from your core self. Just because you have a thought, doesn’t mean it reflects who you truly are.

It might sound odd, but take my word for it. All your limiting beliefs, worries, and anxieties? They’re not you.

Once I stopped believing my unhelpful thoughts, I noticed how much less control they had over my decisions. Instead, I started to let my intuition guide me in my life.

Want to learn more about why you are not your thoughts, why it’s important, and how to stop identifying with them? Read on.

What Does ”You Are Not Your Thoughts” Mean?

Your thoughts may feel like you or have the same voice as you, but they are not you. I know, this is a weird concept to grasp: if you’re not your thoughts, who are you then?

The best way I can describe it is to say you are the awareness behind your thoughts, allowing you to observe them.

Thoughts are just ideas or opinions created by your mind. They come and go, just like passing clouds.

And some thoughts are not even yours: they come from the news, social media, friends, or family.

So are they really who you are?

Your thoughts also change a lot over the years (or even by the hour), just like your feelings, emotions, and sensations.

Does the essence of you change with each of these thoughts? Of course not. Despite all these changes, there’s always a core you.

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Why Is It Important to Know You Are Not Your Thoughts?

Most have us have identified with our thoughts our whole lives. Meaning, we believe our thoughts are facts and a reflection of our true selves.

All those years, we have let these thoughts control our decisions, moods, and actions.

But when we realize that our thoughts are just our thoughts – and nothing else – we can stop giving them so much weight. The less serious we take our thoughts, the less power they will hold over our lives.

Knowing that you are not your thoughts, gives you a new perspective and the ability to start making positive changes in your life.

By separating yourself from your thoughts, you create space between the thought and your reaction. With this distance, it’s easier to decide what’s best for you, without the influence of irrational fears and worries.

You might be wondering, “But don’t we need our thoughts?”. Yes! Of course. Our mind is a powerful tool that we rely on to problem-solve, make decisions, plan our lives, etc.

But when we let our minds take over our lives completely, it can become counterproductive.

How to Stop Identifying With Your Thoughts

Thoughts alone are not the cause of our suffering: it's when we identify with them that we often become unhappy.

Observing your thoughts gives you some distance to see how your thoughts make you feel and whether or not you want to act on them.

Next time you get caught up in your thoughts, try paying attention to them with curiosity instead of judgment.

How quickly or slowly do they pass through your mind? Are they different thoughts? Where are they coming from? What do they want you to know?

Instead of reacting to them, notice what happens to your body sensations or your emotions when you’re having these types of thoughts.

When you start paying attention to your thoughts, you’ll notice that some of them may be unproductive.

At that point you have two options: continue to give these thoughts attention and energy, or let them go. When you stop fighting your negative thoughts and let them be, they will quiet down.

It’s also good to remind yourself that there are many factors contributing to the thoughts you are having on any given day.

When you're stressed or you're dealing with an illness, your state of mind will be affected. Notice, for example, how when you haven't slept well the night before, your thoughts are generally more negative.

This is another reason why self-care is so important – it gives us the strength and distance needed to detach from unwanted thoughts.

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Final Thoughts

We tend to believe our thoughts come from the core of who we are, but that isn't true.

It's important to understand that you are not your thoughts because when you learn to not let them define you, you are no longer controlled by them.

You’ll never be able to stop your thoughts from occurring and you wouldn't want to because your mind is a powerful tool.

But when you learn to detach from your thoughts, you give yourself the freedom to decide which thoughts are helpful and most aligned with your truest self.

Stopping to observe your thoughts is definitely a hard skill to master, but it’s worth practicing.

When you witness your mind from a place of curiosity and non-judgment, irrational thoughts lose their power. The result? The real you emerges.

XO

Annie

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