In this episode, I unpack why feeling stuck in your thinking does not mean something is wrong with you. It means your brain is doing exactly what it was designed to do.

I explore how familiar stories form in the mind, why confirmation bias keeps reinforcing the same beliefs, and how those patterns quietly shape what we notice, avoid, and believe is possible for us.

This conversation is about learning to recognize thoughts as information rather than facts, softening the grip of old narratives, and creating space for growth without forcing change or self-judgment.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:     

The brain prioritizes familiarity because it feels safer than uncertainty

Confirmation bias filters information to protect existing beliefs

Stress and overwhelm intensify rigid thinking patterns

Thoughts are information, not instructions or facts

Absolute language often signals a belief that needs updating

Old stories were once protective, even if they no longer serve you

Growth requires awareness before it requires action

Asking what else might be true opens cognitive flexibility

Safe reflection from others can help reveal blind spots

Updating beliefs expands capacity and reduces internal friction

Links and Resources:

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

The Happy Stack Newsletter: https://happystack.substack.com/

Success Takes Courage Book: https://a.co/d/dgOqpbj

Becoming the Eight Percent Book: https://a.co/d/gcqxerH

If this episode helped you notice the stories running in your own mind, share it with someone who feels stuck or discouraged right now.

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