Perseverating takes the mind places it never thought it could go. Just like my one client of over two years. This is easily her brain’s favorite pastime. Some anxiety-provoking thought will cross her mind, and her consciousness latches onto it. Only for it never to be let go. She and I refer to this as her “going down the rabbit hole.”
Recently, she’s been doing much better with this phenomenon. She’s taken on a very different approach with her thinking. Instead of riding the downward spiral, she takes a moment to sit back and reflect on her thinking.
When she brought this up in session, I asked her how it felt to look in the mirror rather than going down the toilet. However, the analogy made way too much sense for me not to share.
When we spiral like that, we go in circles. It feels like there is no end in sight. Everything is just out of control and with no direction. Going round and round only to end up in a shitty place. It’s not clean or productive.
On the flip side, if you look up and see yourself in the mirror, you can reflect. You now have the opportunity to see clearly and look at the situation objectively. You can see what’s in front of you. You can be more intentional.
As I said to my client, “Look up in the mirror girlie, no time for a swirlie.” Reflect, don’t spiral.
-The Caring Counselor
The Caring Counselor 
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