While it feels like these little messages help, they keep us feeling bad about ourselves. These messages, called cognitive distortions, do just that. They’re thoughts that distort reality.
Jumping to conclusions is a biggie. We think someone doesn’t like us, but we don’t bother to find out if that’s true.
Catastrophizing is also popular. Despite evidence, we expect disaster.
Blaming others has become quite popular and then, there are the “shoulds and oughtas”. “I really should exercise”; “I oughta be studying”. These statements create guilt and when aimed at others, cause resentment.
One of my favorites is “heaven’s reward fallacy”. We sacrifice and when the expected reward doesn’t show up, we’re bitter. What? Who’s keeping score?
Check your thinking. Which cognitive distortions do you use? Break the habit. Get unstuck.
Claudia
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