Then the "cloud" came back.
![Sad :-(](./images/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif)
Then I saw a posting over on the Books forum about a book - "Been There, Done That? Do This!", which gets back to the real root of this - replacing your negative thoughts. For a while I didn't get how big of a deal it also was to write these down, as I had gotten to the point where I thought I could just do it all in my head. This doesn't work! But after using the author's TEA forms - wow! - what a difference. I have to say (that for me) the added structure that the author prescribes works much better for me than the approach that Lucinda recommends. The main thing that his version adds (and that was also suggested by a recent psychologist, but I dismissed it since it was a bit different than Lucinda's method) was to categorize the thoughts, according to the "type" of error that the negative thought represents. I've noticed that with this (seemingly small) addition, it really helps me to replace the thoughts with something much more positive and realistic. But again, most importantly, to get it all down on paper.
I truly believe that my mind had become so loaded with so much negativity that I couldn't even see straight any more. It's amazing what a cloud I was under. But after only two days of using the TEA forms, I can see clearly once again! I truly believe this is the root of all evil here. To Lucinda's credit, she does emphasize how important this is, but I guess it just wasn't enough emphasis for me.
To all out there who may have regressed - check your negativity!
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif)