how to be less pessimistic
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How to Be Less Pessimistic

Clinical psychologist Vidula Sawant breaks down how to be less pessimistic in the video below.

 

 

 

 

One reason you end up thinking negatively is probably you’re falling into a thinking trap. A thinking trap is an assumption that we make, often without realising, that colours our interpretation and perception of ourselves, others, and the world.

 

It’s just like wearing sunglasses inside. It’s darker and less clear, right?

 

For instance, you might have a tendency to always assume that something worst is about to happen, or you always end up thinking there’s right and wrong in every situation.

 

Everyone struggles with thinking traps at times — everyone. And recognising the ones we frequently fall into is the first step in challenging them, changing our thoughts, and thus, changing our outlook to be less pessimistic and more optimistic.

 

When you challenge a thinking trap, it’s like removing those lenses and choosing to look at the world with more clarity, accuracy, and positivity.

 

Here are some common thinking traps:

 

  • Black & White (or All-or-Nothing) Thinking: When we assume there is are only extreme possibilities. Recognise this line of thinking by words like always, never, everything, nothing, best, worst, right, correct, wrong.
  • Mindreading: Assumes others are thinking negatively about us.
  • Fortune telling: Assumes unlikely negative outcomes or farfetched negative predictions about the future, without being based in any evidence.
  • Catastrophisation: Assumes the worst possible outcomes are the most likely and that we’ll be unable to cope with them.
  • Discounting the Positives: Assumes we’re unworthy of good things or our achievements. Recognise this line of thinking by phrases like, “It doesn’t count,” or “It’s not enough,” or ”But that doesn’t matter.”

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Vidula V Sawant (M.A., M.Phil., CRR No. A80980) is a clinical psychologist with  4+ years of experience and a passion for understanding the complexities of our minds and behaviours.

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