The Thought Cactus

By Coach Onowa

Have you ever found yourself replaying the same painful thought over and over?➡️ “This shouldn’t have happened.”
➡️ “It wasn’t supposed to be this way.”
➡️ “Things should be different.”It’s like a loop that won’t stop. And the more we think it, the more it hurts—but we don’t always realize we’re the ones holding onto it.

The Cactus Visual: Why Letting Go Creates Freedom

Imagine your painful thought is like holding onto a cactus. 🌵

At first, it seems like you have to grip it tightly. But the tighter you hold on, the more it hurts.

The simple truth?

💡 You can loosen your grip.

You don’t have to immediately drop it—but even loosening your hold can create space for relief and new possibilities.

How to Start Loosening Your Grip

1️⃣ Recognize the Thought
Ask yourself:
💭 Is this thought helping me move forward? Or is it just keeping me stuck?

2️⃣ Notice the Pain
🌵 Holding onto “this shouldn’t have happened” doesn’t change what happened—it only prolongs your suffering.

3️⃣ Experiment With Letting Go
✔️ What if I loosened my grip on this thought—just a little?
✔️ What else might be true here?
✔️ Is there something I can do moving forward?

The Power of Creating Space

When you stop gripping painful thoughts so tightly, you make room for:
✨ Creative problem-solving
✨ New ways to move forward
✨ More peace and acceptance

This doesn’t mean denying your feelings—it means making space for new possibilities instead of staying trapped in the pain.

Try This Today

Think of a thought you’ve been holding onto tightly.

🔹 What would it feel like to loosen your grip just a little?
🔹 What else might open up if you did?

💬 I’d love to hear—have you ever noticed yourself holding onto a “cactus thought”? Drop a comment below and let’s explore this together.

With curiosity and compassion,
Coach Onowa