Mar 14 • General discussion
A tiny word that changes how your brain processes things
I heard something interesting on a podcast today that also came up in therapy before.
The difference between “but” and “and.”
When we say:
“I’m proud of myself but I still have a lot to work on.”
Our brain tends to erase the first part.
The “but” tells the brain that what came before it doesn’t really count.
Now try this:
💜 “I’m proud of myself and I still have a lot to work on.”
Both things get to exist.
You’re acknowledging progress and growth.
Another example:
“I’m really tired today but I still have things to do.”
vs.
💗 “I’m really tired today and I still have things to do.”
One feels like you’re dismissing your experience.
The other feels like you’re being honest with yourself.
Sometimes our brains relax when we stop forcing things to cancel each other out.
💡 Two things can be true at the same time.
You can be strong and overwhelmed.
You can be grateful and struggling.
You can be healing and still having hard days.
Language shapes how our brains interpret our lives.
So today you might try swapping but → and and notice how it feels.
✨ Have you ever noticed you use “but” in this situation before?
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A tiny word that changes how your brain processes things
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