--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to avoid thinking of what upsets…" description: "\"“You have to avoid thinking of what upsets you. If not, it will take over your life.”\" — Alex Flinn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/alex-flinn-1947_life_you-have-to-avoid-thinking-of-what-upset_1666621.png" --- # You have to avoid thinking of what upsets you. If not, it… ![“You have to avoid thinking of what upsets you. If not, it will take over your life.” quote by Alex Flinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/alex-flinn-1947_life_you-have-to-avoid-thinking-of-what-upset_1666621.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/alex-flinn-1947_life_you-have-to-avoid-thinking-of-what-upset_1666621.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/alex-flinn-1947_life_you-have-to-avoid-thinking-of-what-upset_1666621.png) > ““You have to avoid thinking of what upsets you. If not, it will take over your life.”” [Alex Flinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-flinn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding upsetting thoughts lets them dominate your life. **In simple terms:** Ignoring pain gives it power. Key Takeaway Face and process upsetting emotions. Themes emotions avoidance mental health Mood anxious thoughtful Type self‑help psychological When to use this quote - therapy sessions - journaling - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology mindfulness coping Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your avoidance? - How can you safely confront upsetting thoughts? A Different Perspective Suppression can lead to deeper distress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Upsets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upsets/) ## Related quotes > [“When something upsets you in life, you only have two choices: Get over it or die mad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charline-ratcliff/when-something-upsets-you-in-life-you-only-have-two-choices-get-over/) [Charline Ratcliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charline-ratcliff/) > [As much as thinking this upsets me, I'm starting to see that I need the merry-go-round much more than it needs me, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/as-much-as-thinking-this-upsets-me-i-m-starting-to-see-that-i-need/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I try and avoid thinking of strategy and I tend to stick to my gun of doing things that I like and try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-hall/i-try-and-avoid-thinking-of-strategy-and-i-tend-to-stick-to-my-gun-of/) [Rebecca Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-hall/) > [I focused my mind and energies on short-term Trump problems, which allowed me to avoid thinking about my own long-term Trump problem of having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarosa-manigault-newman/i-focused-my-mind-and-energies-on-short-term-trump-problems-which/) [Omarosa Manigault Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarosa-manigault-newman/) > [You must continue to gain expertise, but avoid thinking like an expert.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-must-continue-to-gain-expertise-but-avoid-thinking-like-an-expert/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [“Some people avoid thinking deeply in public, only because they are afraid of coming across as suicidal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-people-avoid-thinking-deeply-in-public-only-because-they-are/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [It's basically the same in all periods of societies. 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