Useless Pattern 4. Generalize and Label

Defining Generalization and Labeling

Another useless thinking pattern that goes hand in hand with the previous one is the habit of generalizing and labeling other people.

Generalizing is a way our brain has to save energy, a lazy mental shortcut that prevents us from seeing the complexity of the reality that surrounds us.

This mechanism leads us to create a complete idea about something or someone, based solely on a single idea or a single prejudice.

Labeling is the direct application of this generalization, hanging on a person a simplistic quality that completely ignores their true identity and character.

These two mental habits feed off each other, creating a vision of the world that is distorted, simple, and ultimately, completely far from the truth.

The Mechanism of Prejudice and its Impact

The problem with these generalizations, whether positive or negative, is that they are not always good because they prevent you from seeing things differently.

When you predefine an entire group of people in one way, you become stressed when you meet an individual who belongs to that group.

Even if the person in front of you wants to be nice to you, you will feel threatened, anxious, and stressed because your prejudice will completely cloud your perception.

This mental pattern locks you in a bubble of fear, preventing you from meeting worthwhile people and enjoying new social interactions with a completely open mind.

Eventually, your own generalization becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, as your defensiveness will provoke a negative reaction in the other person, confirming your prejudice.

The Discomfort of Being Labeled

It is very important to ask yourself how you feel when other people categorize or label you based on a single quality or your background.

No one likes to be generalized for something, such as assuming certain characteristics negative simply because of where they come from or their physical appearance.

It is an extremely uncomfortable experience to be labeled as something you are not, especially when that label is based on stereotypes that have nothing to do with you.

This feeling of being misunderstood and reduced to a simple category is one of the most frustrating experiences we can have in our interactions with others.

By understanding how bad it feels to be labeled, we can begin to become aware of the damage we ourselves cause when we apply this same pattern to others.

The Uselessness of a Limiting Mental Habit

Both generalization and labeling are lazy mental habits that bring us absolutely nothing positive and, on the contrary, fill us with unnecessary stress.

They prevent us from seeing the richness and diversity of the world, trapping us in a simplistic vision that only generates fear, mistrust, and a deep sense of separation.

In order to live a life with less anxiety and a greater capacity for connection human, it is vital that we work to dismantle these thought patterns.