Dear Brain: Let’s Try Something Different

Rewire your mindset, one phrase at a time.

Ever catch yourself saying: “I have to,” “I don’t have time,” or “I’m so far behind”? Yep… me too. Those little phrases seem harmless, but they sneakily shape how we see life. The words we repeat most often become the story we believe. But what if we could change that story?

We can, and here’s a simple trick: say it differently.

Take “I have to,” for example. Years ago, I gave up gluten to help my body heal. At first, I felt frustrated and even a little resentful—I felt like I had to deprive myself. Then my husband gently reminded me that I always have a choice. Saying “I choose to” changed everything. Suddenly, what had felt unfair became a positive, empowering step.

Other familiar phrases can be reframed too:

• “I don’t have time” → “It’s not a priority for me right now”
  Clear and honest. Keeps focus on what matters most.

• “I’m so far behind” → “I’m doing my best”
  Every step counts. Turns pressure into encouragement.

• “I can’t handle this” → “I choose to rest / take one step”
  Recognize what’s needed. Both rest and gentle action are steps in resilience.

How it works
Our brains naturally focus on the negative more than the positive. That’s why one criticism can outweigh a handful of compliments.

Psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson puts it simply: “We have a brain that’s like Velcro for bad experiences and Teflon for good ones.” This bias helped our ancestors survive by scanning for threats, but today it can fuel stress and anxiety we don’t need.

Here's the magical part: thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain can change. Repeating positive phrases and noticing small wins strengthens new neural pathways. Bit by bit, we can literally rewire our mind for optimism, confidence, and resilience.

Try this:
Pick one phrase you catch yourself saying. Write it down. Add a positive reframe beneath it. Place it where it can be easily seen each day.

With each positive reframe, the brain learns a new story—one that feels lighter, kinder, and far more encouraging—and gradually, life begins to reflect it.

Small change. Big impact.