Dialectical Behavioral Therapy/Core Mindfulness Skills/Describe

Describe is putting words on experience and experience into words.

Describe: the ability to put verbal labels to (internal and external) events is essential for self-control.

Putting words on one’s experience is the first step toward taking control of your mind. Describing is thinking with words and includes your internal dialogue as well as verbal and written expression. This sort of talking to yourself helps you become focused. It is a way to overcome distractions because you learn to redirect your thinking to your here-and-now experience. As you practice describe, you will become clearer about what you are doing and what you want to do.

Time spent describing is an investment. Make consistent use of a journal, to-do list, calendar and organizer.

See Dialectical Behavioral Therapy/Core Mindfulness Skills/Observe