EMOTIONAL OCEAN SERIES — BLOG POST #2

Standing at the Shore: How to Spot Thinking Traps Once You’re Regulated

By Dr. Jennifer Shindman

Once the emotional wave has passed—even slightly—you may feel yourself moving closer to the shoreline.

You’re no longer drowning. You’re standing. You can feel the water rush over your feet, but you’re grounded.

This is the moment when cognitive work finally becomes possible.

Why You Can Think More Clearly Near the Shore

When your body isn’t in crisis mode, your mind has more space to notice:

• patterns

• interpretations

• assumptions

• meaning-making habits

  
  

You’re no longer reacting; you’re observing. And this is where thinking traps reveal themselves.

Common Thinking Traps

Once you’re grounded, you can begin noticing patterns like:

• All-or-Nothing Thinking

• Catastrophizing

• Mind Reading

• Emotional Reasoning

• Should Statements

• Personalization

  
  

These traps aren’t character flaws. They’re brain shortcuts—automatic attempts to keep you safe.

But when you’re regulated, you gain the ability to gently step back and say

“This is a thought my mind is offering me—not a fact.”

This small bit of distance is the beginning of freedom.

Using Curiosity Instead of Combat

You don’t have to fight your thoughts.

You don’t have to argue with your mind.

Instead, this can be your tone:

• “Interesting that my mind went there.”

• “Ah, this is my catastrophizing voice again.”

• “This makes sense given my stress.”

• “This thought is loud, but not necessarily true.”

  
  

This is cognitive flexibility: softening your grip, not forcing positivity.

You’re not trying to stop the waves. You’re learning to keep your footing.

Takeaway

You can challenge and reframe thoughts only when your body is regulated enough to observe them.

If you're at the shoreline, this work becomes accessible—and so much more effective.