Overgeneralization

Why we're told to keep gratitude journals (even when we hate them).

Cognitive distortions—are shortcuts our brains use when we’re stressed, overwhelmed, or trying to make sense of uncertainty. They simplify reality, but they do it at a cost: accuracy, nuance, and hope.

Cognitive distortions aren’t random. They tend to cluster around the same themes: safety, control, worth, and belonging. They show up when we need reassurance, when we’re trying to protect ourselves from disappointment, or when we’re searching for certainty in a world that rarely offers it.