Hello Miles Mustang Family,
At Miles, we always want to promote kindness to others. Being kind to others in school is important because it creates a positive and supportive environment where students can learn, feel valued, respected, and safe. When we do acts of kindness, we can nurture and maintain those strong relationships with our peers, gives room for learning problem-solving, having empathy and understanding with others when challenges arise. Kindness not only boosts the self-esteem and well-being of both the giver and receiver but also models positive behavior and encourages productive collaboration.
When we talk about kindness, we often talk about it in the context of what we can do for others. Sometimes, we need to be reminded to be kind to ourselves. Many individuals have experienced the critical and judgmental voice in the back of our head, often telling us what we are doing wrong and how we are not "measuring up" to the expectations of others or even ourselves. Sometimes we can be hard on ourselves. For example, many students struggle with the expectation of "being perfect," This is called a cognitive distortion. Because it is not realistic to be perfect, the pressure in achieving perfection can become immense and cause distress to the individual when they fail. If we have a cognitive distortion, we can always reframe the distortion into something positive. Instead of saying, "I have to be perfect", instead, we can say, "I can be myself"
Here are some other examples of reframing negative cognitions into positive ones:
Negative Distortion: "I always fail at everything I do."
- Reframed Positive Perspective: "While I've faced challenges in the past, I've also succeeded in many areas. Mistakes are opportunities for growth, and I can learn from them to improve in the future."
Negative Distortion: "Nobody likes me; I'm always alone."
- Reframed Positive Perspective: "I may feel lonely at times, but I have supportive friends and family who care about me. I can also take steps to connect with others and build new relationships."
Negative Distortion: "I'll never be good enough."
- Reframed Positive Perspective: "I may have areas where I want to improve, but I have strengths and qualities that make me unique and valuable. I can focus on my progress and celebrate my accomplishments along the way."
Negative Distortion: "I'm a failure because I made a mistake."
- Reframed Positive Perspective: "Making mistakes is a normal part of learning and growing. It doesn't define my worth as a person. I can use this experience to gain insight and do better next time."
Negative Distortion: "I'll never get over this setback; it's hopeless."
- Reframed Positive Perspective: "While this setback is challenging, I have overcome obstacles in the past, and I have the resilience to navigate through this one. I can break it down into smaller steps and seek support when needed."
By reframing negative thoughts into more positive and balanced perspectives, individuals can cultivate a healthier mindset, increase resilience, and enhance overall well-being.
Warmly,
-Alex
