Which statement is an example of all-or-nothing thinking?

• A. If I miss one workout, I’ll never be healthy.
• B. I did well on the task.
• C. I can learn from this mistake.
• D. This is a minor setback.

Answer: (A)

All-or-nothing thinking happens when you see things in absolutes, with no middle ground or shades of gray. The statement “If I miss one workout, I’ll never be healthy” uses an absolute like “never,” tying a single slip to a permanent, total outcome. It ignores that health is built over time, includes ups and downs, and can be restored after a lapse. That rigid, black-and-white view is the essence of this distortion.

The other statements reflect more balanced thinking: they acknowledge progress or a learning opportunity without drawing sweeping, permanent conclusions. Saying you did well on the task focuses on the specific effort or result, not an all-encompassing verdict. Recognizing you can learn from a mistake points to growth rather than doom, and labeling a setback as minor keeps expectations realistic and hopeful.