Mind Reading
What is Mind Reading, and why can it be tricky in friendships?
Mind Reading is when you assume you know what someone else is thinking without any proof. It's tricky because you might get it wrong!
What does it mean to "Blow Things Up"?
Blowing Things Up means making a small problem seem like a really big one.
Define All or Nothing Thinking in your own words.
All or Nothing Thinking is when you see things as either completely good or completely bad, with no in-between.
Example: "I spilled juice on my homework, so my teacher will hate me." What’s the thinking error?
The thinking error is "Blowing Things Up." A spilled juice stain doesn’t mean your teacher will hate you.
What’s one way to challenge Mind Reading with your best friend?
You could say, "Maybe they didn’t see my message yet. I’ll ask them later."
Imagine your best friend is quiet and doesn't text back. What’s a Mind Reading thought you might have?
"They didn’t text back because they’re mad at me" is an example of Mind Reading.
Example: "I tripped in gym class, so everyone will laugh at me forever!" What’s the thinking error?
The thinking error is "Blowing Things Up." Tripping in gym class doesn’t mean people will laugh forever!
Example: "If I don’t get an A, I’m a total failure." What’s the thinking error here?
The thinking error is All or Nothing Thinking. Getting one bad grade doesn’t make someone a failure!
True or False: Negative Labeling is when you only see the bad in yourself.
False. Negative Labeling is when you see only the bad, not when you’re kind to yourself.
Imagine you feel embarrassed after saying the wrong answer in class. What’s a kinder way to think about it?
A kinder thought might be, "Everyone makes mistakes, and I can learn from this."
True or False: Mind Reading means you're a superhero who can read minds.
False. Mind Reading is a thinking error, not a superpower.
Why do big feelings sometimes make small problems seem giant?
Big feelings can make you focus only on the problem and forget that it’s actually small.
True or False: All or Nothing Thinking often ignores the good stuff.
True. All or Nothing Thinking often ignores the good stuff in a situation.
Example: "If my friend doesn't say hi, they must be mad at me." What’s the error here?
The error is Mind Reading. Your friend might be quiet for many reasons, not because they’re mad.
How can reminding yourself of the good things stop "Ignoring the Good"?
You can stop Ignoring the Good by writing down three things you did well that day.
How can asking questions instead of assuming help stop Mind Reading?
Asking, "Are you okay?" instead of guessing helps stop Mind Reading.
What could you tell yourself to shrink a "blown-up" thought?
You can tell yourself, "It’s not a big deal; everyone makes mistakes."
How could you turn the thought "I’m bad at soccer" into something more balanced?
You could say, "I’m still learning soccer, and I’m improving every time I practice."
How is "Setting the Bar Too High" like expecting to jump over a skyscraper?
Setting the Bar Too High is like expecting to jump over a skyscraper because the goal is way too hard.
What’s one way to set a goal that isn’t "too high" or "too low"?
A good way is to set a goal that’s challenging but still possible, like running for 10 minutes instead of an hour.
Name one way to practice thinking "I don’t know for sure, so I’ll ask."
One way is to remind yourself, "I can’t know for sure until I ask."
True or False: Everyone makes mistakes, and they usually aren’t a big deal.
True. Most mistakes aren’t a big deal, and people usually move on quickly.
What’s a reason All or Nothing Thinking can make us feel stuck?
It can make you feel stuck because you might believe things can never get better.
Why is it helpful to notice thinking errors during tough moments?
It’s important because noticing thinking errors helps you challenge them and feel better.
True or False: Overcoming thinking errors helps you feel more confident.
True. Overcoming thinking errors makes you more confident and helps you enjoy life more.