Is That a Fact?
Thoughts Are Not facts
One of the most useful things we can learn for our wellbeing is the ability to identify what is and isn’t a fact. This isn’t as easy as it sounds.
A fact is neutral and can describe what is happening or what has happened: “it’s raining”, “I didn’t sleep well”, “my friend hasn’t replied”. These are just statements of fact.
However, all too quickly, our minds begin adding things; making assumptions and interpretations. It’s not just raining, but “It’s always raining when I’ve got time off!”. We translate a bad night’s sleep into: “My mind just won’t switch off. There must be something wrong with me!”
When Thoughts Become Stories
Our minds can easily turn the smallest fact into something more significant, especially if we are feeling stressed or tired.
Fact: she doesn’t ring as often as she used to.
Interpretation: she clearly doesn’t like me.
Fact: I made a mistake in an important email.
Interpretation: they’re going to think I’m an idiot.
Fact: our partner seems a bit snappy.
Interpretation: he’s always finding fault with me.
Without realising it, we have begun to create a story. The original neutral facts become emotionally loaded as we add to the story. It becomes so convincing that we then start to believe that the story is a fact.
Why Thoughts Are Not Facts
It’s not surprising that we do this. Thoughts are real and can feel incredibly convincing. And they give rise to feelings.
A single thought like: “I’ve really messed up” can generate tension in the body and anxiety and stress in the mind. Because these feelings of anxiety and stress are real, we assume that the thoughts must be true.
We then end up either worrying about these facts that aren’t facts or trying to push them away because they feel too unpleasant.
Reacting to the Story, Not Reality
We think that we are reacting to life, but actually, we are reacting to our own interpretation or story about our life. That’s quite mind-blowing when you think about it.
Understanding this and learning to separate facts from interpretation can be life-changing.
It is liberating to realise that feeling rejected does not mean that we have been rejected. Feeling like there is something wrong with us does not mean that there is anything wrong with us. Believing that someone else is unkind doesn’t mean that they definitely are.
Emotional Wellbeing and Clearer Seeing
Learning to distinguish between fact-based observations and fearful predictions is a form of emotional wisdom.
This opens space for more compassion, less reactivity and clearer seeing.
And that’s a fact.
I’m Sarah-Linda, a certified teacher of both the Alexander Technique and mindfulness based near Plymouth, UK. Through Living and Loving Mindfully, I support individuals in reconnecting with their bodies, easing tension, and moving through life with greater presence and flow
My approach is gentle and grounded in awareness — helping you rediscover your natural balance, without forcing or fixing
It’s not about getting it right, but about learning how to be more present with where you are
