Your Brain Lies to You (And That’s Okay)

Your brain is an amazing storyteller — but it doesn’t always tell the truth.

We are not passive observers of our lives; we interpret everything through our past experiences, our emotions, our belief systems and our expectations. Two people can share the same moment and walk away with completely different versions of “what happened.” Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman calls this “the illusion of understanding” — believing the story we tell ourselves, even when it’s not accurate.

The inner stories we create are shaped by our history. If you grew up feeling unseen, you might carry the story: “I don’t matter”, If you’ve been rejected, you may believe: “People always leave me.” These beliefs can feel real but often keep us stuck in anxiety, shame, or self-criticism.

Therapy can help you step back and question these stories. In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Therapy, we ask simple but powerful questions:

· Is this thought fact or assumption?

· What evidence supports or challenges it?

· What would I say to a friend thinking this?

· Is there a kinder, more balanced way to see it?

When we start noticing and questioning these thoughts, we can rewrite them. Over time, new stories emerge – I am learning. I am enough. I can handle this.

If you’ve noticed old stories holding you back, perhaps it’s time to explore what a new chapter could

look like — one that feels truer, kinder, and more hopeful.

Thank you to Louisa Gibson, Counsellor at Caulfield Natural Health Clinic, for sharing this blog.

To Book an appointment with Louisa, please call the clinic on 03-95283994.