The human mind, in its quest for simplicity, often resorts to shortcuts. One such shortcut, particularly relevant in the domain of cognitive distortions, is “labeling.” It is a simplified way of understanding complex realities, but often at the cost of nuance and accuracy. To navigate the intricate pathways of our thoughts, we must grasp the essence of labeling and its implications. Labeling involves assigning a fixed category or tag to oneself or others based on a particular behavior or instance. Instead of saying, “I made a mistake,” labeling would lead one to conclude, “I am a failure.” It’s a form of overgeneralization, but specifically in terms of categorizing oneself or others in an oversimplified manner.