Last Friday in the UK: some woke up rejoicing. Some woke up in horror. Yet, we all experienced the same election result. How can that be?

Let go of limiting beliefs, David Bird Cognitive Hypnotherapy in Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes

Because it isn't the circumstance that determines our experience of it. It's our thinking about it. It's what we believe. What it means to us.

Some are celebrating Boris Johnson's extension. And relieved Jeremy Corbyn's kept out of Number 10. Some are grieving a loss of hope. And worrying sick about the future of the NHS.

Between last Thursday night and Friday morning very little had physically changed. But a lot of thinking had changed. Some were living in the experience of a bright future. Others in a very, very different one. But the thing is, neither were real. Not yet. And - given we all project a different imagined future - some may never be.

Beliefs aren't true. They're just useful. And some more useful than others. Also, context can be everything. It can be useful to believe 99% is a fail for a job in accident-prevention. Not so useful for a student.

And it's not just perception that's affected by our thinking and beliefs. They determine our actions too. There's a big difference between believing someone just has a different political opinion to us. And believing that there's fundamentally something wrong with them because of their vote.

Which belief leaves us more open to connection, understanding, and - ultimately - constructive progress?

Unhelpful beliefs can be changed. It's what I help people do. But only once a person sees them as unhelpful. Because beliefs are designed to bring a sense of safety and certainty. So they have a vested interest in staying put. Especially when challenged in a combative or shaming way.

Beliefs can be a complex area. Based on a whole life of learning and experience. Some conscious, some unconscious. It's why, from the next person, we can see things so differently. React so differently. And behave so differently. And struggle to understand those differences when things get emotional.

We're all human beings. And we'd do well to remember that in times like these.

(Struggling with the way you see things, or how you react? Cognitive Hypnotherapy in Leighton Buzzard can help you. Get in touch to learn how)