A story from Distortion Detective

Sam didn't make the basketball team after trying out. He practiced all summer to prepare.
“I wasted my entire summer. I'm never going to be good at anything athletic. My life is over.”

In the game
Which thinking trap caught Sam? Name the trap, then check whether the thought holds up.
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🖨️ Print the take-home sheet · the story, three questions to talk over, free
About Distortion Detective
Noticing a thought like "Nobody likes me" or "I always mess up." Naming the trap behind it, then checking whether the thought holds up.
Helpful for: negative self-talk, assuming the worst, black-and-white thinking, jumping to conclusions. More in the glossary
Leo: a missed shot in the last minute
Thought Forge
In the last minute of the soccer game, Leo had a clear shot at goal but missed. His team lost by one point.
Amara: benched for the biggest game
Story Splitter
Amara's coach moved her from the starting lineup to the bench for the biggest game of the season.