The Art of Reframing

Our thoughts are not facts—they’re mental events that can be observed, questioned, and reshaped. Reframing is the skill of looking at a situation from a new, more empowering perspective, allowing you to respond rather than react.

Content Reframing

Ask yourself: “What else could this mean?” For example, if your boss gives you critical feedback, instead of thinking, “I’m failing,” reframe it as, “I’m being guided to grow and improve.” Changing the interpretation can instantly shift your emotional response.

Context Reframing

Ask yourself: “In what context would this behavior be useful?” A trait that feels negative in one situation can be positive in another. Stubbornness in a relationship might cause conflict, but the same stubbornness in pursuing a goal is simply persistence. Recognizing context allows you to see challenges differently and respond more effectively.

It’s not what happens to you, but how you interpret it that matters. – Epictetus