10 Thinking Traps We All Face | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Thinking Traps We All Face

You are your worst critic.

68
https://unsplash.com/photos/swIiaSf5qhc
Riccardo Mion via Unsplash

In This Article:

The way we think and how we feel can dramatically affect our disposition in life. Although we often don't realize it, our mood has a powerful impact on our mindset in any given situation. Thinking traps are negative automatic thoughts that are hard to shake off and can make life even more complicated than it already is. Here are 10 thinking traps we all face.

1. All or nothing thinking.

The key words: "always" and "never" which is all or nothing reasoning.

2. Predicting the future in a negative way.

When you have a feeling "something bad is going down," and convince yourself of it.

3. Minimizing the significance of your accomplishments.

Decreases self-confidence and prevents you from celebrating your accomplishments.

4. Over-generalization.

Creates unnecessary anxiety and prediction of the future.

5. Jumping to conclusions.

Responding impulsively to situations before you have full information.

6. Tunnel vision.

Inability to see beyond a certain perspective or consider a different point of view.

7. Magnifying.

Thinking the worst possible outcome is the only outcome possible. We exaggerate the importance of negative events.

8. Personalization.

Reflex tendency to attribute problems to one's own doing.

9. Externalizing.

Opposite of personalizing: Problems are never our fault.

10. Mindreading.

You assume what others are thinking and feeling about you without having any concrete evidence to suggest so.

"We are dying from overthinking. We are slowly killing ourselves by thinking about everything. Think. Think. Think. You can never trust the human mind anyway. It's a death trap." – Anthony Hopkins
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1727
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16498
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3467
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments