CRITICAL THINKING🧐

HOW TO QUESTION EVERYTHING WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND

The Art of Not Being a Sheep

Critical thinking isn’t exactly humanity’s strongest suit - at least, that is how it appears to me, especially in the past few years. I will even go as far as to say that it is neither encouraged nor welcome in today’s world. If it were, we wouldn’t have fallen for every health fad, a ridiculous plandemic with even more ridiculous measures, or 3 a.m. infomercial promising weight loss without effort. But here’s the thing: questioning everything doesn’t mean putting on a tin foil hat - despite what people are trying to imply - and assuming the world is out to get you. It means learning to think for yourself again, ridding yourself of supervised and assisted thinking without spiraling into an existential crisis every time you scroll through the media.

---

---

So, what can you do to enhance or develop razor-sharp critical thinking skills without losing your grip on reality?

---

Know our biases - yes, we all have them

Before you start questioning everything outside of you, start with yourself. We all have biases, those sneaky mental shortcuts that make us believe we’re always right (weirdly, we’re not). Confirmation bias, for instance, makes us latch onto information supporting our existing beliefs while conveniently ignoring anything challenging. Then there’s the bandwagon effect, where we tend to believe something simply because everyone else does - extremely prominent during those memorable COVID years and even worse now with governments working against their people. And let’s not forget the availability heuristic, which tricks us into thinking something is true just because it’s the first example that comes to mind - like assuming sharks are a bigger threat than vending machines, which, BTW, they’re not.

Awareness of these biases doesn’t mean eliminating them entirely, but it does mean pausing before you react and asking yourself, “Am I really thinking this through, or just reacting based on habit?”

---

Ask Better Questions

Critical thinking isn’t about knowing all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions or even asking questions at all. When faced with information, consider where it’s coming from. Is this from a reliable source, is it just a random Facebook rant, or is some form of propaganda being repeated over and over again by the mainstream media? Who benefits from this information being spread? If someone is pushing an idea aggressively, is there a financial, political, or personal motive behind it? What’s the other side of the argument, and have you actually looked into it? And most importantly, is what you’re reading fact or just a strongly worded opinion dressed up as truth? We know that a lie, if repeated often enough, appears to become the truth.

---

---

Curiosity isn’t just for toddlers and cats; it’s a superpower that keeps you from falling for nonsense. Logical thinking has become scarce in today’s society. Just consider the curfews imposed on people during COVID. How smart must a virus be to know to come out at a certain hour to viciously sneak up on you - come on…

---

The Internet is a Minefield—Tread Carefully

The internet is both the greatest and worst thing to happen to human intelligence. On one hand, you have unlimited knowledge at your fingertips. On the other, it has become more difficult than ever to find reliable sources that don’t repeat the same narrative. I again want to give you an example from the plandemic. I found it disturbing that the media of the western world suddenly promoted the exact same narrative - or rather propaganda - and any other views were ridiculed to say the least. To navigate the digital world with a critical mind, we need to always check multiple sources before accepting something as truth or at least a semblance of such. It is important to dig deeper. Be cautious of sensationalist headlines designed to trigger an emotional reaction before you even read the article. And for the love of rational thought, read beyond the headline, because a headline and the actual content of an article often tell two very different stories.

---

Embrace the “I Don’t Know”

One of the most underrated signs of intelligence is admitting when you don’t have the answer. The world is complicated, and anyone who claims to have it all figured out is either lying or possibly a cult leader. Being comfortable with uncertainty means you’re open to learning rather than just clinging to what you wish was true. It keeps you from jumping to conclusions, and, most importantly, it saves you from looking like a fool when reality eventually proves you wrong.

---

Think Like a Scientist (Even If You Failed Chemistry)

Science isn’t about knowing; it’s about testing, questioning, and adapting. You can apply this mindset to everyday life by maintaining a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness. Question things, but don’t assume everything is a lie. Change your mind when presented with better evidence - stubbornness isn’t intelligence. And always test your assumptions instead of blindly accepting them just because something feels right doesn’t mean it is. The best example is the „discussion“ about gender. At the end of the day, there are only two genders, no matter how some people may feel.

---

---

Think for Yourself, But Stay Sane

Critical thinking isn’t about distrusting everything, it’s about thinking with clarity and curiosity. It’s about questioning without paranoia, researching without rabbit-holing, and, most importantly, not believing everything you think. So next time someone tries to convince you that there are over 100 genders, just smile, nod, and ask, “What’s your source?” (And maybe brace yourself for a long conversation.)

The world needs more thinkers - not just believers.

---

🎶My Song for you

It is one I haven’t heard in a long time, and I still love it. It just wants to make you move, and it is, believe it or not, great for dancing tango. The Stranglers with Golden Brown…

For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!

---

📚My Poem for you

Is by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

The Soul selects her own Society

The Soul selects her own Society —
Then — shuts the Door —
To her divine Majority —
Present no more —

Unmoved — she notes the Chariots — pausing —
At her low Gate —
Unmoved — an Emperor be kneeling
Upon her Mat —

I've known her — from an ample nation —
Choose One —
Then — close the Valves of her attention —
Like Stone —

---

👀Impression

I have been rather ill for the past weeks and am still recovering. Apart from wonderful friends and neighbors supporting and helping me, my two little helpers never left my side.

---

Wishing you a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

Yours

Tanja 🤗

PS. You can now also find my podcast on Spotify

Change & Evolve and feel free to get in touch