Flexible thoughts
What does it mean to be a flexible thinker?
Being a flexible thinker means being able to look at things in different ways, adjust to changes, and consider new ideas.
What does opposite action mean?
Opposite action is a skill where you choose to act differently when that urge doesn't fit the facts or isn't helpful for your goals.
Fact or feeling: “I feel angry when my sister goes into my room without asking.”
Feeling! Anger is an emotion.
What does it mean to accept a situation?
Acceptance means recognizing what is happening or what has happened, even when we don't like it.
What is filled with holes but can still hold water?
Sponge!
Why is it helpful to consider more than one way of looking at a situation?
It helps us understand other people, solve problems, and avoid jumping to conclusions.
Does opposite action mean you should ignore your feelings? Why or why not?
No. Feelings give us information, and we can acknowledge them while choosing a helpful response.
“My brother used my game controller without permission.”
Fact! This describes something that actually happened and is true if confirmed.
What is the difference between accepting something and liking it?
Accepting something means acknowledging that it is real. Liking it means feeling happy or satisfied about it. You can accept something without liking it.
Where is your dream vacation?
What is the difference between flexible thinking and stuck thinking?
Flexible thinking means being open to different ideas and possibilities. Stuck thinking means getting stuck on one idea or believing things must happen a certain way.
How can our feelings sometimes push us to do things that aren't helpful?
Strong feelings can make us want to react quickly without thinking about the consequences. For example, anger might make us want to yell, even when talking calmly would work better.
“I feel frustrated when I have to repeat myself.”
Feeling! Frustration is an emotion.
What is the difference between accepting your feelings and trying to push them away?
Accepting feelings is when you notice and experience feelings without judging yourself. Pushing feelings away means trying to pretend they aren't there or refusing to think about them.
Which car brand has a prancing horse as its logo?
Ferrari
Flip one of your stuck thoughts!
"I hated school today" -- “School can be hard sometimes, but there might be parts I enjoy.”
You feel angry about losing a game and want to yell! What is an opposite action?
Instead of yelling, take a deep breath, use a calm voice, congratulate the winner, or say, “I’m disappointed I lost, but I can try again!”
“I feel overwhelmed when everyone is arguing.”
Feeling! Feeling overwhelmed is an emotional experience.
Can you think of a time you had to accept that your sibling wasn't going to do what you wanted?
Explain.
Why is the math textbook sad?
It has too many problems!
What can you tell yourself when something doesn't go the way you wanted it to?
“I don't like this change, but I can handle it. I can try a different way.”
What is the difference between feeling an emotion and acting on that emotion?
Feeling an emotion is what happens inside us. Acting on it is what we choose to do in response.
“My parent said I need to turn off my phone/tablet.”
Fact! This is a limit and something a parent said.
Can you think of a time you were angry about something that felt unfair but eventually found a way to move forward?
What helped you accept the feeling?
What belongs to you but other people use it more than you do?
Your name!