All or nothing thinking is one of the many cognitive distortions through which we see the world. Nothing is ever truly black or white or absolute, but your mind may try to convince you that it is. There are many different reasons for this but usually it’s a self-protective mechanism often to protect from experiencing failure.
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”
William Shakespeare
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As a clinical hypnotherapist, I work with people who want to change bad habits. Things like quitting smoking, overeating and alcohol addiction are just a few.
I had a client who recognised that binge eating was the cause of her being overweight, and she needed to stop eating after 6 pm to get it under control.
After a few weeks of successfully stopping eating at 6pm, She had a busy weekend of work dinners and family catch-ups, which threw that rule out the window.
She saw me the following week and told me that she felt like a failure and that it was all over and she would never lose the weight.
However, all she needed to do was get back on track and stop eating at 6pm the following day, which she did eventually do with a bit of support.
What’s wrong with all or nothing thinking?
In all or nothing thinking, the person can’t see other options, They can’t see there’s another way, which is why it is a cognitive distortion.
All or nothing thinking can stop you from achieving your goals.
It will keep you stuck and keep you in a pattern of negative thinking.
How to change all or nothing thinking?
Working with a therapist can you help you identify and change this thinking so you can see things more clearly, achieve your goals and feel better about yourself.
Ready to change your thinking and think better thoughts?
Sessions available online or in the clinic on the Gold Coast.