Everyone welcome to another weekly Mindful Wellness Blog by Dr. Vivek Gupta. Today, I want to talk about all or nothing thinking. This is something I’ve struggled with at various times of my life. And you know if I’m honest, I continue to do so. But as do a lot of our patients. You know, we get trapped in these self-fulfilling narratives that were either good or bad or were on or off or like, you know, everything is going well and not, but what happens often is these are traps. These are mental traps like our brain uses these things these ways of thinking as a way that it holds on to them that these mental patterns will protect us from eating everything in the world. Or you know, if other people have other issues like drinking, using technology, you just everything. And I think that it’s really important to kind of be mindful of these ways of thinking because you know, often it’s inevitable that we will eat the cookie or we will eat the piece of cake at a birthday, at our lunch, during work, or whatever.
The Spiral of Perfectionism
All of these things right. Inevitably we will fail at times and often people will be like, and you know we’ll all.
Practicing Forgiveness Over Perfection
Fail and we’ll say Oh screw it. Then we’re done like the day is done, the day is shot, the week is shot, the month is shot, all of it right. But what we always say Mindful Wellness is we always try. And then we instantly forgive ourselves right because really, instead of focusing on the side of always trying to be perfect, we work on foot, working on the other side which is coming back over and over and over. And really, that’s all it is right, it’s like it’s impossible, life is hard, there’s too many things like.
Life’s Real Challenges and the Myth of Perfection
You know, fights with their spouses, you know, kids issues, work, stress, just fatigue, getting a bad night of sleep like there you could put thousands of, you know things on the list. And really, it’s impossible to be perfect and perfectionism. The more we hold on to that, the harder and harder this will be, because inevitably again, you know at times we’ll slip. So really. I think just instead of reframing kind of our focus and attention, because we all have limited time, energy, desire and just focusing on okay, it’s okay forgiving ourselves. This was hard. I get it, you know, treating ourselves as we do like a child, you know, just giving ourselves a lot of grace and compassion and saying. Okay, let’s get back on, let’s figure out what our plan is. What’s the next decision? How can I optimize that? Perhaps, you know.
We’re Here to Support You
Always as always just you can always message us if you’re are a patient, we can help you through any of these situations and if you’re not, you know if a former patient or somebody else just happen to see in the video, you can always go to Mindfulwellness.com and you know learn more and we’re always seek to be a support system for everyone who is our patient, who’s not our patient so thank you so much.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is all-or-nothing thinking?
It’s a mindset where you see things as either a complete success or total failure.
2. Why is it harmful?
It can lead to giving up easily after small setbacks.
3. How does Mindful Wellness address it?
By encouraging self-forgiveness and focusing on the next positive choice.
4. What should I do after a slip-up?
Forgive yourself and get back on track with your next decision.
5. Why isn’t perfectionism sustainable?
Life is unpredictable, and trying to be perfect adds stress and pressure.
6. How can I be kinder to myself?
Talk to yourself with compassion—like you would to a child.
7. Can non-patients get support?
Yes, visit mindfulwellness.com to learn more and connect with us.
