Setback today - is it possible it’s still just TMS/another muscle twist/strain?

[Diana-M]

How do I write about THAT habit without mentioning symptoms?

You can say the word “symptoms”— you just shouldn't fixate on your symptoms. Your goal is to not care about symptoms and not give them any significance. Then your TMS brain will turn them off. (If you haven’t read The MindBody Prescription by John Sarno, get it and read it all the way through several times. Then, keep reading parts of it a little every day.) Dr. Sarno explains what symptoms are. They are a distraction your brain creates to avoid your emotions.

 

[Cactusflower]

My suggestion: don’t write about a habit or what really is a purposeful distraction you already know you do and why you do it. You don’t need to! There are many things: habits, behaviors, thought cycles that you can just lightly observe and note how they have a similar function of distraction. Notice how you feel while doing these things and note if they really help or just keep you in cycles. Some distractions are helpful some aren’t… or are only in certain situations. Once you notice them, you can choose to engage or not.
Symptom talk and discussing the physical is a distraction from your internal emotional world that keeps you stuck there.

 

[JanAtheCPA]

one of my habits is searching all over for evidence/success stories/etc.

This is an activity that your TMS brain is happy for you to continue to engage in because it makes you feel like you're accomplishing something. It's a lie. This is an activity that we call "reassurance seeking" and it's normal for complete beginners but it turns into a waste of time when you are intellectually and rationally ready to move to the next level.

Your TMS brain is keeping you at this immature level, because if you successfully advance to the next level and manage to stay there, you are expected to be doing the deeper emotional recovery work that your fearful brain absolutely does NOT want you to do.

So, unfortunately, this is another habit that you'll need to let go of. Success Stories are a valuable resource, don't get me wrong! I would suggest reading just one story per day. More importantly, do NOT search for stories with your symptoms. Open your mind to all stories, and simply go to our subforum, (don't search the internet) and read each story in order.

Pay close attention to your brain's negative response to this discipline, and then write about that.