What If the Hard Thing Isn’t the Problem—It’s How You’re Looking at It?

Reframing isn't just mindset—it’s brain training. Here's how to use it.

Have you ever watched someone tackle an impossible task and thought, “I would hate that”?
Me too.

I was watching contestants on The Amazing Race bike through sand, haul wet laundry, and lay out colorful saris under the blazing Indian sun.
It looked like a nightmare. My gut reaction? Nope. Not for me.

But then I paused.

What if the task wasn’t the problem?
What if the problem was my perspective?

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How Reframing Changes Everything

You can’t always control the obstacles life throws at you. But you can control how you see them.
And that small shift? It can change everything.

Our brains are wired to scan for threats and fixate on the negative—a survival instinct that served our ancestors well but can leave us stuck in fear and frustration today.

That’s where reframing comes in.

Reframing is the practice of intentionally shifting your perspective. It doesn’t magically make problems disappear. But it opens the door to new possibilities, helping you:

• Build resilience

• Unlock creativity

• Respond instead of react

Over time, reframing actually rewires your brain. This is called neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways. With consistent practice, you train your brain to see growth instead of defeat.

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Try This: The 5 Positives Challenge

Next time you're in a frustrating situation, try this simple reframing tool:

1️⃣ Spot the Reaction
Name what you’re feeling—overwhelm, dread, impatience—without judgment.

2️⃣ Pause for Perspective
Take a deep breath. Don’t fix it. Don’t avoid it. Just create a little space.

3️⃣ Find 3 Positives
What’s good about this? Even if it feels small or forced, name three.

4️⃣ Push for 2 More
Here’s where the magic happens. The first three are easy. The next two make you dig deeper—and that’s where new perspective starts to take root.

5️⃣ Reflect on the Shift
At the end of the day, ask yourself: Did that challenge feel different?
Did I find something meaningful in it?

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A Real-World Example: From “Nope” to Insight

Here’s how reframing changed my perspective during that Amazing Race episode:

1. 🌊 The beach was breathtaking.

2. 🌏 This task honored a beautiful cultural tradition.

3. 🙌 It offered a chance to appreciate hard work in a new way.

4. 🧵 The saris reflected stunning craftsmanship.

5. 💬 How many people can say they laid out saris on a beach in India?

Would I sign up? Still probably not.
But the moment I shifted my focus, the story I told myself changed.

And that’s the point.
The way we see challenges shapes our story—and we are always the author.

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Why Science Backs This Up

Behavioral science shows that reframing engages the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that handles decision-making and emotional regulation.

Reframing reduces stress, increases clarity, and improves performance under pressure.

It’s not just a mindset shift.
It’s a brain shift.
And with practice, it becomes a default mode—one that helps you see opportunities where others see roadblocks.

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Your Turn: Take the Reframing Challenge

The lens you choose defines your reality.
Try the 5 Positives Challenge this week. Notice what happens when you change the story you tell yourself.

✨ Want more research-backed insights and tools like this?

Subscribe to Practical Perspectives—a short, thoughtful, monthly newsletter on how to work with your brain (not against it).

Don’t just read about transformation.
Practice it.

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