Ever feel like your mind is telling you one thing, but your heart is pulling you in another direction?
Like when you crave junk food during a diet phase or you contemplate your life choices and give validation to toxicity even though you know it’s harmful.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it?
Now, have you ever wondered why this happens? 🤔
The terminology that dictates this push and pull of opinion is called cognitive dissonance.
Feels too technical, doesn’t it❓
Let me simplify with an example.
Imagine you're an overthinker who knows it is bad for your mental health.
You might even feel guilty every time you do it, knowing you're harming yourself.
Well, that is cognitive dissonance in action - where your belief (overthinking) is at odds with your action (piling tension).
Here are a few other examples of cognitive dissonance, that you might be encountering in everyday life:
➡️ Eating unhealthy food while trying to lose weight.
➡️ Procrastinating on a work deadline, even though you know its importance.
➡️ Being in a relationship that isn't working out, but still staying in it out of fear of loneliness.
➡️ Buying something you can't afford, but still putting a dent in your pocket.
These choices may look insignificant but they do impact your life in the long run.
So, what's the solution? Is this incurable?
The good news is - Absolutely not 🚫
Here are some of my suggestions to deal with cognitive dissonance:
➡️ Become aware of it: The first step is always about recognising when you are experiencing an episode of cognitive dissonance. Pay attention to those uncomfortable feelings you get when your thoughts and actions are misaligned. You can even write them down to keep a tab on the triggers.
➡️ Explore the cause: Once you have it on paper, try to understand its root cause. What are the conflicting beliefs that are leading to such actions?
➡️ Make a choice: Once you understand the root cause, it's time for you to make a choice. The choice is nothing complex but a means for you to figure out how you want to resolve this dissonance. Will you focus on changing your beliefs, your actions, or both?
➡️ Patience is key: Remember, no result is ever achieved overnight. It takes time and effort, so don't be discouraged if things don't seem to work initially. Just keep working on each of the conflicts, and eventually, you'll find a way to resolve the conflict.
➡️ Seek support: If you are struggling to do it alone, don't force yourself. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or even a therapist about what you're going through. Chances are, their extended support and guidance can help you navigate this issue better than what you could have achieved alone.
As we get to the end of this edition, here is a takeaway, I want you to take with you- Cognitive dissonance may seem insignificant but is a powerful force in your lives.
It can easily influence some of the major decisions in your life that shape your relationships, career, and overall happiness.
But, don't just think of it as a challenge, if wielded correctly, it can also become an opportunity for growth.
By understanding this mental phenomenon, how it works, and its management, you can even create a more authentic and fulfilling life for yourself.🍀
And finally, here is a question for you to ponder on:
Have you ever experienced cognitive dissonance in your life? How did you deal with it?
Do let me know.
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