W hy D o I C onstantly T hink A bout T his ? HOW TO MANAGE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Instead of pushing these thoughts out of your mind, acknowledge that they are intrusive concepts and allow them to linger. Understand they will pass, but prepare yourself for other unwanted thoughts. Most importantly, push through and continue to complete your tasks and errands when the thoughts occur. If you try to control, suppress, question, act, or engage with intrusive thoughts, you’ll likely be even more fixated on them. You’ll feel more in control if you allow them to pass through your brain instead of trying to avoid and ignore them. Intrusive thoughts can feel distressing, but allowing them to freely enter and exit your mind will provide you with ease — even if it doesn’t seem that way. However, if intrusive ideas persist and continually impair your ability to work or do things you enjoy, seek information from a mental health professional. You’re never alone in your struggles, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Many people deal with unwelcome, intrusive thoughts every day. We’ve all experienced unwanted images or notions racing through our minds, and it can be difficult to concentrate on what we need to be doing. These thoughts can also trigger feelings of anxiety, worry, and shame. But know you’re not alone — some estimate that 6 million Americans are affected, so many can empathize with what you’re going through. Here is some good advice about intrusive thoughts and how to manage them in a healthy way. WHAT ARE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS? Intrusive thoughts are unwanted ideas that occur without warning at any time, often triggered by stress or anxiety, or even short-term biological factors, like hormone shifts. They can come in many forms, and people often worry about what they mean, so naturally, they try to control or stop the ideas altogether. But trying to prohibit these thoughts can make them more persistent.
H appy to H elp Meet Sydney Cumbee
Paralegal Sydney Cumbee had her heart set on becoming a nurse but realized partway into her education that it wasn’t the right fit. With her plans shattered, Sydney’s parents helped her sort through the courses that could help her graduate. They urged her to try Criminal Justice 101, and after a childhood growing up watching “Murder, She Wrote,” she decided to give it a shot. “I fell in love with it the first day of class,” Sydney remembers. “But after a few courses, I realized I was more interested in the law than policing.” She got her first job as a legal assistant in 2018 and became a paralegal soon after in 2019. While Sydney dreamed of working in family law, she found her first job in bankruptcy before moving on to evictions and, later, collections. But she never had plans to stay in those fields permanently and continued looking for family law opportunities. Sydney joined The Manely Firm in November 2021, and she loved the work immediately. “I feel so satisfied helping people. With bankruptcy, eviction, and collections, my job was mostly sad — we were taking a person’s whole life away,” Sydney says. “But now working on adoptions is such a happy process.
And even with divorces, your clients are whole new people once they reach the outcome.” A self-professed “military brat,” Sydney has been living in Georgia for 15 years. But she also spends plenty of time in Indiana, where her new husband’s family lives. The two got married in October, and they visit almost every other weekend. Sydney’s father makes the process a little easier. “My dad’s a pilot, so we get a lot of air mileage when we don’t feel like driving,” she says. In her spare time, Sydney enjoys spending time with her French bulldog Bonnie and volunteering with MUST Ministries. “People who go to the shelter get a month’s worth of food, and they help you find jobs, let you pick out clothing, and help you build your resume when you’re out of a job,” Sydney says. “It’s a really great organization, and I’ve been volunteering since I was 18 or 19.” During the week, she feels right at home at The Manely Firm. “When I started, everyone welcomed me with open arms,” Sydney said. “I’ve been happy since day one here. This job is like a dream come true.”
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