Confused about when to use Teflon mind

[pacman404]

My friend is trying to get me to practice Teflon mind but I don’t understand the difference between that and just pushing everything down. How do you know when to think Teflon thoughts and when you should “sit with it”? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

[Ronin]

From my understanding of it (and I sort of crash coursed through DBT so may be way off) -

Teflon mind describes aware of feelings, and letting it slide.

Where sit with it is aware of it, and letting it hit you, even if it does.

Aka different way of managing the emotional *impact*.

One is not let it touch you / hit full force;
The other is let it hit you, but keep a small gap as a breathing / maneuveur space.

And how do you know, by situational needs & what you're capable of doing, at the time.

Aka if I can't afford feeling the depth or that particular feeling, definitely teflon. If space & time is had for it, something else.

Also depends on other coping strategies and supports...

If I got none or limited at the time, or cannot engage those I have, I'm not gonna be all emotional, I'm gonna suck it up until among myown and well enough to be unwell.

 

[pacman404]

From my understanding of it (and I sort of crash coursed through DBT so may be way off) -

Teflon mind describes aware of feelings, and letting it slide.

Where sit with it is aware of it, and letting it hit you, even if it does.

Aka different way of managing the emotional *impact*.

One is not let it touch you / hit full force;
The other is let it hit you, but keep a small gap as a breathing / maneuveur space.

And how do you know, by situational needs & what you're capable of doing, at the time.

Aka if I can't afford feeling the depth or that particular feeling, definitely teflon. If space & time is had for it, something else.

Also depends on other coping strategies and supports...

If I got none or limited at the time, or cannot engage those I have, I'm not gonna be all emotional, I'm gonna suck it up until among myown and well enough to be unwell.

That makes sense. Thanks for your reply.