Three Times Liv Screwed Up

Liv hadn’t seen Anna for three months. No damn good reason. She was just exhausted, tired, and honestly, didn’t feel like dealing with anyone. Not even her.

Today, though, she decided. She’d meet Anna. Buy her some chocolate and coffee, to ease the guilt a little.

In the store, Liv’s browsing the shelves. Holding three chocolates in her hand, can’t decide, like her whole life depends on it.

Then - Him.

That guy she bumps into now and then. They know each other’s names, exchange the occasional “hi” in the store or on their street, but it never goes beyond that. Sometimes she sneaks a glance at him, just to remind herself she’s not dead inside.

He smiles: Hope you’re not buying all the chocolates. I might want one too.

Her stomach tightens. Her smile stretches so wide, if she didn’t have ears, it would run right off her face. She tries to say something, nervously apologizes, explains…And then, his gaze drifts. Over her shoulder.

Cold shower. “Of course. That’s how interesting I am to him.”

Thoughts flood her mind:“Rude. Here I am, playing it cool, and he’s staring off somewhere else.”

I gotta go, I’m in a hurry — she cuts him off.— Liv, wait, I was thinking… Yeah, yeah. It’s all good.

She leaves. Feet flying. In her head “Idiot.”

Slams the car door: — Jerk! And then that old record starts playing: “All men are the same. How could I have been so naive?”

Life Coach’s Take

Just like Liv, we all live by automated behavior patterns. Assumptions. Generalizations. Sometimes low self-esteem.They shape our thoughts, and our thoughts shape our lives.

How thoughts change everything:

• Body: stomach tightens, smile disappears, cold shivers down the spine.

• Behavior: we start a conversation, then leave abruptly and unexpectedly.

• Mood: happiness → anger → disappointment.

Our mental patterns “they’re all the same,” “all or nothing,” “I’m reading their mind” close us off to new experiences.

Liv assumed, without checking, that the guy in front of her was uninterested and rude.

The truth? His gaze drifted because he saw his car being towed. Shock and discomfort. He didn’t get a chance to say a word.

They could have had coffee. Maybe gotten to know each other better. Maybe spent a life together. But no, the patterns took over.

Lesson

When you catch yourself assuming, generalizing, or predicting a negative outcome stop.

Ask yourself:

👉 Do I have proof?

👉 Can I check?

👉 Is this an old pattern playing out?

A thought isn’t the truth.And one glance away doesn’t have to be the end of the story unless you decide it is.