All or nothing!
It's either my way or the highway!
Do you suffer from black and white thinking? This is when you see things in extreme. There is no room for gray. When you think in black and white, everything is either perfect or a failure; there is no room for an in-between. Can you see how negatively this can impact you and the people with whom you associate?
All or nothing thinking doesn't allow for negotiation or compromise. In essence, it keeps you stuck with no room for growth. And when you finally find out that you may have been wrong, your whole house of cards falls.
Black and white thinking can lead to feeling anxious and makes it almost impossible to have healthy relationships. Because, after all, you're always right and everyone else is wrong.
If you are of this mind set, there is a way to work your way out of it. Even though it can be tough, especially if you've been like this all your life, you can begin by noticing when you use words such as "always," or "never." Those words could be a sign that you suffer from rigid thinking.
Another thing you can do is to start challenging your thoughts and ideas by considering other possibilities. For example, you might want to ask, "Is there another option? Possibility?" Most things have a shade of gray.
With practice, you can start rewiring your brain; make it more flexible and open, and be able to see things in a more balanced way.
Imagine yourself being open to other possibilities and healthier relationships? Sound good?
Slipstream
I just watched a video posted by Homeless Valley where a woman who was pretty settled into her black/white thinking decided to start using fact checking sites. She changed her thinking once she had a full picture on various issues. Venturing into the gray gives you permission to explore other options, and can also help you feel calmer. Thanks for your post!
Here's a link to the video: https://youtropolis.com/city/homeless-valley/districts/maga-woman-wants-...
Sanatana
I saw that lady. Boy, she really came around! Good for her.
Evangel
Another term for this is "rigid thinking," which illuminates the type of person behind such thinking. Often, they are pained by what might happen should they veer off their "straight and narrow" path.
It takes immense courage for anyone to abandon their long-held, hardline beliefs because so much in their life is organized around them--such as people they associate with, organizations they belong to, family who rely on their constancy and faithfulness to those beliefs.
Should courage, however, seize and motivate them to dismantle potentially misguided beliefs, they may ultimately cave under the weight of all the what-ifs that may happen by doing so. But it likely will be the most liberating and peaceful action they can take. For those who are ready to dive in, this article offers some excellent first steps. Thanks for posting!