I have to admit, that for many years, February has always been a difficult month for me. With emotionally-loaded events like Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and my birthday all rolled into the same month, it often felt like one long roller coaster ride.
But over the years as I healed, I began to understand my own triggers and challenge the old narratives I had.
Today, if you find that Valentine’s Day, or any particular event, person or thing in your life is triggering for you, I hope this framework helps you navigate those complicated feelings and find clarity to move forward.
I love REBT (Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy), because everyone can remember ABCDE.
A: Identify the Activating trigger
B: What are the underlying false Beliefs that come into play when the trigger takes place?
C: What are the Consequences or impact that your belief has on you?
D: How can you Dispute your false beliefs? What can you ask yourself to challenge those false narratives?
E: What is your Effective new approach? What new beliefs can you use to replace in your life?
I hope this helps you enjoy the events that you’re meant to delight in 💛 You are loved and worthy. Happy Valentine’s Day, no matter what your stage of life 🌈💪🏾