Question

Provide an instant positive catch all phrase or thought that would stop the provided thinking traps.

Catastrophizing: You’re sure that the worst-case scenario will inevitably happen. If a classmate turns down your invitation to hang out, you’re convinced that you are doomed to be an outcast for life.

Over-generalizing: You think of a single negative event as a never-ending pattern. If you stumble as you rush across the quad, you are sure the entire student body thinks you’re a klutz.

Answer 1

Positive thoughts helps to deal with life. Sometimes it is necessary that we actively challenge our negative thoughts and replace it with positive thoughts, for a better life.

In the given two scenarios, the positive thoughts can be as follows -

Catastrophizing - If the classmate turns down the invitation, someone else will accept it. That would be a much better person, than the first one.

Over-generalizing - Everybody falls once in a while, it makes us human. If they don't realize this, then they are ignorant.