Are You Thinking for Yourself?
It’s easy to call out brainwashing in others—but what about in ourselves? True critical thinking requires self-reflection and a willingness to question not just the world, but our own perspectives. A friend once told me, “If you think you’re not prejudiced, then you are,” and I think the same applies to free thinking. If you automatically assume you’re thinking for yourself, you might not be as independent as you believe. Questioning whether you’re truly thinking for yourself isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s the first step to true freedom of thought. Here are 10 signs you might be more influenced by outside forces than you realize.
1. You call other people brainwashed, stupid, or ignorant before hearing their perspective.
If your first reaction to someone’s opinion is labeling them as brainwashed, woke, or immoral without listening, you might be shutting down a real opportunity for understanding. Taking the time to ask questions and hear their reasoning might surprise you—and help you see the bigger picture.
2. You interrupt other people because obviously you already know what they’re going to say.
Cutting someone off mid-sentence doesn’t just signal impatience—it also suggests you believe you already know everything they could possibly say. But what if they have a perspective you haven’t considered?
3. You define someone’s entire personality based on one opinion.
People are complex. Reducing someone to “just a [insert label here]” because of their stance on one issue oversimplifies who they are and dismisses their humanity.
4. Your conversations with people who disagree with you involve telling them what’s wrong with their thinking.
Debates are a two-way street. If your goal is always to correct someone’s beliefs instead of exchanging perspectives, you’re missing out on the richness of dialogue—and the chance to grow yourself.
5. You avoid challenging conversations because it’s easier to stick to what you know.
Whether you avoid talking to people with different views or surround yourself with like-minded voices, staying in your comfort zone can stunt your growth. While there’s a time and place for everything, embracing diverse viewpoints will help you grow wiser and more empathetic.
6. You think “research” is just googling things you already agree with.
True research requires seeking credible sources, understanding context, and engaging with ideas that challenge your beliefs. If your “research” always confirms what you already thought, it might be reinforcing bias, not uncovering truth.
7. You feel personally attacked when someone disagrees with you.
Your opinions aren’t your identity. It’s normal to feel defensive when challenged, but if disagreement feels like an attack, it might be time to untangle your sense of self-worth from your ideas.
8. Every opinion you have is similar to your favorite “news” source.
If your worldview mirrors a narrow set of media outlets or influencers, ask yourself if you’ve critically examined those beliefs—or simply absorbed them.
9. You dismiss people with opposing views as trolls, haters, or “not worth your time.”
It’s easier to label someone a lost cause than to engage with their perspective. But writing them off means losing the opportunity to learn—and missing the chance for them to hear you, too.
10. You’re more committed to your talking points than a dog is to its favorite chew toy.
If you can’t let go of an idea even when faced with new evidence, ask yourself: Are you more attached to being right than being informed?
Why This Matters:
The truth is, we all have blind spots. If any of these points sound uncomfortably familiar, it’s not a reason to feel ashamed—it’s a chance to grow. The more we listen, learn, and stay curious, the closer we get to breaking out of the echo chambers that divide us. Next time someone challenges your beliefs, pause and ask yourself: What can I learn from this?
DoodlepunkArt 