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What a Cup of Black Coffee Taught Me About How We Heal

What a Cup of Black Coffee Taught Me About How We Heal

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 What happens when you walk into a café and only tell the barista what you DON'T want? You get exactly that. And what if your brain works the same way? In this episode of Serenity Rising, Bron explores the Black Coffee Theory, a viral social media metaphor that reveals something profound about how our brains process what we focus on. Using research, Bron unpacks why your brain can't tell the difference between what you want and what you don't want and why that matters deeply for anyone on a healing journey. SHOW NOTES In this science episode of Serenity Rising, Bron shares a story that's been circulating on social media, about a person who walks into a café and only tells the barista what they don't want. They get a black coffee. Every time. It's a simple metaphor, but it mirrors something many of us do in our healing: we focus so hard on what we're running from...the pain, the anxiety, the exhaustion, the fear, that our brains tune into exactly that. Not because we're broken, but because of how our neurology actually works. Bron breaks down the research (the famous "white bear" experiment), the reticular activating system, and the difference between approach and avoidance goals, all through the lens of compassion, self-awareness, and The Serenity Project philosophy. She also shares a simple, nervous-system-aware practice for noticing when you're caught in the "I don't wants" and softly redirecting, one moment at a time. In this episode, Bron explores: Why your brain can't process "don't" and what it hears instead The "white bear" experiment and the rebound effect of thought suppression How the reticular activating system filters your reality based on what you focus on The neuroscience of approach goals vs avoidance goals, and why it matters for healing How self-affirmation activates the brain's reward centres A gentle pattern interrupt practice, called the FLIP Framework: Feel, Label, Interrupt, Pivot Why this isn't about toxic positivity, it's about working with your neurology, not against it This episode is for anyone on a healing journey who has ever felt stuck in a loop of "I don't want this." For anyone recovering from burnout, chronic illness, grief, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed by their own thoughts. Because you deserve to receive what you're truly asking for. And it starts with knowing what to order. Make everyday count! JOIN THE COMMUNITY Website https://serenityproject.com.au/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bronwatsonme Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bron_watson/ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/bronwatson Have a question or feedback? You can leave a message here: https://fanlist.com/serenityproject
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