Thought literacy is the awareness and management of thoughts. To make it intuitive, the two core elements are directly in the definition:
- Thought awareness
- Thought management
Thought Awareness
Thought awareness is noticing your thoughts, either in real time or during reflection. It includes understanding how your environment influences your thinking, recognizing patterns and habits, and observing beliefs or assumptions that shaped past behavior. Building awareness can be messy, as insights may come unexpectedly and from unexpected places.
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Thought Management
Thought management is using that awareness to choose healthier, more accurate, and productive thoughts. It helps you recognize which thoughts deserve attention, which are outdated narratives, and how to respond intentionally instead of reacting automatically. Thought management prevents negative spirals, challenges unhelpful interpretations, and encourages grounded thinking.