In this empowering and insightful episode, I break down the science and psychology behind negative thinking and share actionable tips to help you move forward. Along with Tom’s story, we cover:

• Why our brains are wired for overthinking and how modern culture amplifies this.
• The role of unrealistic expectations and comparison culture in creating feelings of inadequacy.
• How negative thinking impacts our mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and exhaustion.
• The blame game: why we assign blame to ourselves or others and how it fuels mental clutter.
• Practical strategies to stop engaging with negative thoughts and redirect your focus to what truly matters.

This episode is packed with relatable stories, expert advice, and simple steps to help you shift your mindset and feel more empowered.

Key Takeaways
✔ Understand Negative Thinking: Learn why your brain gets stuck in cycles of worry and self-judgment.
✔ Stop Engaging with Negative Thoughts: Discover how to acknowledge your thoughts without giving them energy or attention.
✔ Reclaim Your Energy: Replace mental clutter with creative projects or activities that engage your mind.
✔ Build Self-Trust: Use gratitude and accomplishment journaling to rebuild your confidence.
✔ Break the Cycle: Practice shifting your focus and letting go of thoughts that don’t serve you.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Watch the video of this episode on my blog: https://jodiaman.com/blog/declutter-emotional-baggage
• Dr. Jodi Aman’s YouTube Channel: @DoctorJodi
• My TEDxWilmington Talk: “Calm Anxious Kids” https://jodiaman.com/speaking/tedx/
• Dr. Jodi Aman’s YouTube Channel: @DoctorJodi
• Generation Z Mental Health Resource Guide: jodiaman.com/guide
• Redirect Positive Mindset Cards jodiaman.com/order-redirect-flash-cards
• EnCompass SEL Class Activity jodiaman.com/order-encompass-game
• Anxiety, I'm So Done with You! Book

Thank You for Listening!
Thank you so much for listening to Ask Dr. Jodi! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs inspiration or help to heal!  

You’re listening to the Ask Dr. Jodi - Mental Health & Relationship Advice with Jodi Aman.

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Remember, you can join me live every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern on YouTube, @doctorjodi, where you can ask your questions in real time.

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Contact Doctor Jodi:

• Website: jodiaman.com

• TikTok: @doctorjodi

• YouTube: @doctorjodi

• Instagram: @doctorjodiaman

About Dr. Jodi: 

Jodi Aman is a social work doctor with 28 years of experience in clinical practice. She helps clients heal from trauma, understand the world, and reclaim self-confidence. She created C.O.M.P.A.S.S., an emotional wellness curriculum for middle and high school health classes designed to mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can find hundreds of self-help videos on YouTube @doctorjodi. Also, watch her TEDx Wilmington talk, "Calm Anxious Kids," and read her award-winning book, Anxiety… I'm So Done with You! to learn how to understand and reverse the current mental health crisis. More about Jodi.

Ask Dr. Jodi Live

Welcome to Ask Dr. Jodi, where you get trauma-informed mental health and relationship advice you won’t hear anywhere else. Advice that helps you breathe a sigh of relief.

You’ll discover that your brain is not broken...that, whatever you are feeling, it is understandable. You are having a regular human response to the context of this crazy world. But that doesn’t mean you are destined to stay like this. You can get better. And we're here to help.

We cover topics that you and those you love are dealing with every day, helping you understand the problem, yourself, and other people so you have the information you need to heal, shift beliefs, get relief, set strong limits, let go, and act in a way that helps you and those you love FEEL BETTER.

I’m your host, Dr. Jodi. I've worked for 28 years as a psychotherapist, so I've seen and understood the nuances of human behavior and relationships from a rare perspective inside people’s minds and emotions. Together, we’ll discover how you are much  more  amazing than you think you are by building your confidence and accelerating your healing journey.

We livestream this show on YT every Monday at 8 PM E, @doctrojodi, so follow me there so you can participate in the conversation. We do live coaching on air, and you can get personalized advice for your situation. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself, gain practical tips, and hear from relatable guests who will show you how to get rid of worry, strengthen your emotional bandwidth, and create a happy, purposeful life.