In this episode of Selves Unedited, Danielle Colborn and Dr. Maria-Christina Stewart continue their “spring cleaning the mind” series by exploring a form of mental clutter many people quietly carry: persistent thoughts about food, body weight, and shape.

These thoughts can feel overwhelming, convincing, and constant—but what if the goal isn’t to eliminate them, but to change your relationship with them?

Danielle and Maria zoom out to examine how our environments, habits, and internal patterns shape the mental noise we experience. They share practical, compassionate tools to help you step back from unhelpful thoughts, create more mental space, and reconnect with what truly matters.

1. Why you can’t control your thoughts—but you can influence your environment
2. How daily behaviors (like social media use or tracking habits) reinforce mental clutter
3. The hidden impact of avoidance and how it strengthens fear-based thinking
4. Common cognitive distortions (all-or-nothing thinking, mind reading, catastrophizing)
5. Why “fixing” thoughts isn’t always the most effective strategy

1. Set Yourself Up for Success:
2. Take an honest look at your environment—what you consume, who you’re around, and what messages you’re reinforcing daily.
3. Notice Patterns, Not Just Thoughts:
4. Identify recurring thinking styles like extremes or assumptions about others.
5. Externalize the Inner Critic:
6. Give your thoughts a name (e.g., “anxiety mind,” “perfectionist voice”) to create distance and perspective.
7. Practice Detachment Over Debate:
8. Instead of arguing with thoughts, allow them to exist while continuing to live your life.
9. Use Humor as a Tool:
10. Turning harsh thoughts into something playful (like a cartoon voice) can reduce their intensity.
11. Write It Out:
12. Journaling can help you see thoughts more clearly and even “dialogue” with them from a grounded, wise perspective.

1. Mental clutter often reflects what we repeatedly expose ourselves to and practice.
2. You don’t need to eliminate difficult thoughts to feel better.
3. Creating even a little distance from your thoughts can be powerful.
4. Real change happens through both external shifts and internal awareness.
5. With consistent practice, your relationship to your thoughts can change over time.

This podcast is not a substitute for therapy. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional.

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