Ever had a thought so strange or disturbing it made you question your sanity? You’re not alone. Intrusive thoughts, fleeting, unwanted, and often distressing, are more common than you think. Whether it’s a sudden image of driving off a cliff or fears about accidentally harming your baby, these thoughts do not define you. In this post, I break down what intrusive thoughts really are, why they happen, and how to take away their power through mindfulness, externalization, and self-compassion. You are not your thoughts, and you’re not going crazy.