Why are the thinking traps "Always, Always, Always" and "Everything, Everything, Everything" considered toxic?

The thinking traps "Always, Always, Always" and "Everything, Everything, Everything" are categorized as toxic because they promote a distorted view of reality that can lead individuals to feel hopeless and helpless. These cognitive patterns involve making sweeping generalizations about situations and experiences, creating an all-or-nothing mindset. For example, if someone thinks, "I always fail," or "Everything goes wrong for me," it becomes easy for them to become trapped in a negative cycle of thought that exacerbates feelings of despair and a lack of agency over their lives.

This type of thinking can diminish resilience and prevent individuals from recognizing their successes or acknowledging the nuances of their experiences. It discourages problem-solving and can lead to an inability to see potential solutions or positive outcomes, reinforcing a sense of defeat and perpetuating a negative self-image. Recognizing these thinking traps is a crucial component of resilience training, as it encourages individuals to challenge their negative thought patterns and foster a more balanced and constructive perspective.