THE SHOULDS

Cognitive Distortions
Worksheets To Recondition Your Brain For Positivity
YOU KNOW THE "SHOULDS"...  FOCUSING ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE SHOULD BE INSTEAD OF
WHAT IS. THE "SHOULD" CAN BE DISGUISED IN PHRASES SUCH AS "I HAVE TO..."- "I
CANNOT KEEP..."- "I CANNOT STOP..."- "WHY CAN'T I JUST..."- "I WILL NEVER... IF I CAN'T...".
THESE THOUGHTS PUT PRESSURE ON YOU WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THE GROWTH
YOU'VE MADE. EXAMPLE- 'I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS ON MY OWN.", OR "THIS
SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING TO ME".

I. DESCRIBE THE "SHOULD" THOUGHT

II WHAT DO YOU KNOW TODAY THAT CHALLENGES THIS "SHOULD"?

III. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TOLD YOURSELF TO CHANGE THE "SHOULD" THOUGHT?

IV. IF YOU COULD CHALLENGE THE "SHOULD" THOUGHT IN THE MOMENT, HOW MIGHT
THE OUTCOME DIFFERED?