Rebuttals against negative thinking

Food for thought...though it seems to be harder than it looks.


“Some people think/treat me like I am stupid”


You are not stupid. You make choices in life that stupid people won’t make. Also stupid people don’t commit to things that you might commit to-so who’s really stupid?

If you look at reality the very people that treat you stupid or dumb are the ones who are really blind. The fact that they believe that somebody else is stupid or dumb without getting to know them are pretty much in the dark.

Besides even if they know something you don’t know, it does not make you dumb or stupid. Nobody can know everything and you know things they don’t know. It’s not all about them and what they know. All men were made equal. There is no one living on the earth that is superior or higher in worth to you.




“People don’t like me because I am quiet.”


Not all people will like you whether you are quiet or not. A lot of friendly people are disliked by others and yet have people that like them as well. It’s better to have one or two special friends that like you, than none at all. Those people are genuine and worthwhile-the people who dislike you are not worth your time.



“I can’t do anything right.”


Yes you can! You are just looking at too many of the times you may have made a mistake. People seem to recall only the mistakes and not the times they were successful. Write down a list of every possible good thing that has happened to you or that you were good at. Don't leave out anything no matter how small!




“What if I embarrass myself?”


So? Everyone gets embarrassed from time to time. You are harder on yourself than anyone would ever be. The way you might condemn yourself to embarrassment and failure is much more extreme than anyone else would actually have done to you.



What are they thinking of me?”


Not what you are thinking, obviously, since no two people think the exact same thought. People perceive things differently. They don’t care to judge you when their mind is elsewhere. Even an occasional dirty look from somebody else may or may not be a critic of you. Even if it is, they certainly have the problem. How can anyone hate a book that they haven’t read?


“She/he looks better than me. I’m not good enough.”

Looks have nothing to do with intelligence or worth. Not all good looking people are smarter, wiser, or more experienced than a “less than perfect” person. Some of the greatest famous people and historians were quite unattractive-at least in many peoples’ minds. Einstein wasn’t exactly a hunk but he was smart.




“I’m depressed today. Life is hopeless and it won’t change.”

Yes, it will and your mood will change. There will be better days and at times you may feel so good your problems seem to shrink. For those with severe depression, a doctor can help you get better and with such things as CBT and meds. You will find ways to manage your moods and to take steps to counter negative with positive.