The Resilient Mind Stop Taking Your Thoughts So Seriously - Dr. Julie Smith
Jan 23, 2026
Dr. Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist and bestselling author, shares her expertise on managing mental health. She discusses how confidence is built through manageable challenges and emphasizes acting based on values to avoid regrets. Julie encourages treating emotions as informational rather than identity-defining and promotes self-compassion over self-esteem. She also highlights breathing techniques as quick anxiety relief and discusses the importance of relationships for mental wellness, critiquing social media's impact on real connections.
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Emotions Are Information, Not Identity
- Treat emotions as information rather than moral judgments about yourself.
- Use curiosity to ask what an emotion means and how you want to respond to it later with pride.
Don't Fight Your Thoughts Directly
- Do allow intrusive or unwanted thoughts to exist without judging them and then choose what to do next.
- Avoid trying to control which thoughts appear, and instead limit how much time you spend with each thought.
Choose Self-Compassionate Actions
- Do practise self-compassion when confidence or self-esteem is low and choose helpful actions over indulgence.
- Treat setbacks by asking what will be most helpful for your future rather than confirming a negative self-story.
