Do you fall into these Thinking Traps?

Fortune Telling: this occurs when we predict that things will turn out badly. However, we cannot predict the future because we don’t have a magic ball! (ex. I know I’m going to hate this new job)

Overgeneralizing: this is when we use words like “always” or “never” to describe situations or events.  This is a problematic way of thinking because it does not take all situations or events into account. For instance, sometimes we make mistakes but we don’t always make mistakes. (ex. I always make mistakes or My mother is never on time)

Mind-reading: this happens when we believe that we know what others are thinking and we assume that they are thinking the worst of us. However, we can’t mind-read so we don’t know what others are thinking! (ex. I know they’re thinking about how weird I look)

Labeling: sometimes we talk to ourselves in a mean way and we use a single negative word to describe ourselves. However, this kind of thinking is unfair and we are too complex to be summed up in a single word! (ex. I’m stupid, or I’m a failure)

Filtering:  this happens when we take note of all the bad things that happen, but ignore any good things. (ex. Believing that only bad things happen to you because you did poorly on a test and got into a fight with a friend. However, you ignore the good things that have been happening such as getting a good grade on a homework assignment and getting invited to a friends birthday party)

Overestimating: this happens when we believe that something that is unlikely to occur is actually about to happen. (ex. I will faint, I’ll go crazy, or I’m dying)

Catastrophizing: this is when we imagine the worst possible thing is about to happen and we will be unable to cope with it. (ex. I’ll embarrass myself and everyone will laugh, or I’ll freak out and no one will help)

Are you and Empathetic Listener?

Empathy is….

seeing with the eyes of another,

listening with the ears of another,

and feeling with the heart of another.