Adjusting to Mental Filtering: When You Can't See Anything But the Negative

Have you ever had an amazing day—got compliments, nailed a project, connected with friends—but all you can think about on the drive home is that one awkward thing you said? Or walked out of an electric audition only to spiral about whether you picked the right song?Welcome to mental filtering: the cognitive distortion that zooms in on the negative and filters out everything else. In this episode, we're diving into why our brains love to replay what went wrong on a loop, how this pattern shows up in our relationships, creative work, jobs, and daily life—and most importantly, what we can actually do about it.In this episode, we cover:What mental filtering is and how to recognize it in real timeHow this thinking pattern manifests in your body (hint: it's not just in your head)The connection between childhood trauma, rejection, and hypervigilancePractical tools to challenge the filter and see the full pictureReal-world application for relationships, auditions, work, and everyday momentsWhy progress matters more than perfectionThis isn't about toxic positivity or "good vibes only"—it's about being accurate, not just positive. It's about telling yourself the whole truth, not just the filtered version your brain wants you to believe.If you're a creative, someone navigating mental health, or just tired of your brain hijacking your good days, this episode is for you.Let’s Connect! Website: www.adjustingpod.comSocial Media: @adjustingpod on Instagram | Facebook | Youtube | TikTokApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adjusting-podcast/id1748188929Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Lyu594jw5luH1rujNcTZZ?si=386a7e7728f5461bAmazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7863b34c-b85c-4f67-8044-10dd08cfb660/adjusting-podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdjustingPodcastSubstack Channel: https://justingnelson.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chipsGuest/Topic submissions: [email protected]: Adjusting Podcast is NOT a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.