18 SHARES Share Tweet



Our minds are a lot like disobedient children.

We tell them to do something directly and they don’t listen. We say to ourselves “stop thinking negative thoughts” and your mind goes “you mean stop thinking these negative thoughts?”

This is why trying to change your mind directly – through pure force or willpower – is often difficult if not impossible. You can’t just say “make this change” and your mind will listen.

Instead, we often have to “trick” our minds into making a change. And one of the most effective ways to do this is to talk to your mind indirectly, through the use of symbolism.

A lot of our thinking happens below the surface of consciousness. This is why conscious thinking, reasoning, and logic can only get you so far in self improvement.

However, through the use of symbols and rituals, you can suggest thoughts to your subconscious mind without needing to access it directly.

Here’s one very simple exercise that uses symbolism to help let go of negative beliefs. Try it out for yourself and see how you feel afterwards.



“Burn away” your negative beliefs exercise:

Get a piece of paper and a pen.

Write down 5 “negative beliefs” in your life that you believe are currently holding you back from reaching your full potential.

Get a lighter or matches.

Go outside and set the piece of paper on fire.

Watch it burn.



This exercise is super easy and simple – it’s “child’s play” – but sometimes (like a child) that’s how you need to communicate with your mind to get it to listen.

Fire itself is a physical act of change and transformation – so why not use this as a symbol to spark a change in your own life, by first burning your old and unhelpful beliefs? Try it.



Stay updated on new articles and resources in psychology and self improvement:



