Also, be aware of why you think that way. In the end, if you don't properly understand yourself, you won't be able to argue back when you clash with others, reconcile opinions, or correct yourself when you're wrong

"I have quite a few friends who, maybe not Minato, but have built up so much stress from excessive patience that they ended up unable to work..."

"If you can become stupid enough to leave everything to other people's thoughts, that's fine. But if you keep killing your will after thinking about it... suddenly, you'll break and be crushed. I don't want that to happen to you."

"…It's still a long way off. Social debut."

"Indeed."

"Well, if anything, you need the skill to read the room. But when a large group gathers, it's rare for everyone to have the same opinion—because there are people like me."

"Bro, aren't you really out of place at the store?"

"How rude."

"Likes and dislikes, right and wrong, everyone has their own. Keep your own opinions and self-awareness. Also, be aware of why you think that way. In the end, if you don't properly understand yourself... when you clash with others, you won't be able to argue back, reconcile opinions, or correct yourself when you're wrong."

"…Bro, what happened?"

"I've been through a lot and have mellowed out."

This is a conversation between Minato's brother and Minato from "Ice Fortress."

Mental health fluctuates depending on how we perceive and judge "stressors (stimuli)." For the past few years, I have been calling this perception "worldview," and I hypothesize that most of the problems a person causes, or conversely, the background of their happiness, are influenced by this "worldview."

When we strongly feel "stressors," biases in judgment occur, leading to a vicious cycle of excessive anxiety or feeling like doing nothing.

There is a method to objectively and realistically view actions that stem from "cognitive biases" that are far from reality by focusing on the thoughts and images that naturally come to mind. This method is called "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy."

"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" is a psychological therapy that helps ease feelings by thinking about our "cognitions" and the "results of actions based on those cognitions." For example, if you usually think, "I'm a useless and cowardly person," then in situations where you face strong stressors, you will act as that image dictates. In scenarios like having to speak in front of many people, you'll avoid speaking due to the stress. Thus, "cognition" and "behavior" are two sides of the same coin.

When we are stressed, our perspective narrows, which further depresses our mood, creating a vicious cycle. By objectively viewing reality, we can think flexibly and change our mood.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy involves gathering facts to realize you are acting based on "cognitive distortions," thinking flexibly based on facts, and finding ways to act without avoiding situations. This helps reduce mental health issues.

By exploring our "cognitions," we become aware of the "automatic thoughts" that unconsciously come to mind. These are thoughts that pop up without any basis, like "What if I fail tomorrow's presentation?" "I'll probably blank out and mess up," or "If I fail, I'll be abandoned." These are "automatic thoughts."

"Automatic thoughts" are spontaneous thoughts that come to mind without us intending to think them. Due to the influence of these "automatic thoughts," many people actually make mistakes during presentations.

If you repeatedly make the same mistakes or fail in the same way, it is advisable to examine what your "automatic thoughts" are.

How do you examine your "automatic thoughts"? More on that later.