The Influence of Mindset

Our mindset—the way we think—shapes our emotions, moods, and actions. Although it’s a term many people have heard, its real significance is often misunderstood. More than a thousand types of mindsets have been seen in literature. Many play a distinct role in how we approach self-care. Research completed by Ash Buchanan shows the current most widely recognized types of mindsets are growth and fixed. {Buchanan, A. (2024)}

Popularized by Carol Dweck’s book “Mindset” the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets are often compared, as if a person can only possess one or the other. Dweck, C. (2016). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Ballantine Books.

A growth mindset tends to be accepted as the more desirable type. Growth mindset includes being open to learning and viewing oneself as able to grow and change. In contrast, a person who feels they are unchangeable would have a fixed mindset. Most people apply a growth mindset to one area of their life even when viewing other areas with a fixed mindset.

Mindset and Self-Perception

When reflecting on self-care, those with a fixed mindset may view themselves as undeserving of such things. Thoughts such as not having “earned” self-care, or believing others are more important, can take over. For example, someone might feel they deserve a dessert but not a doctor’s visit. Financial considerations and difficulty in arranging self-care activities contribute to how a person creates a definition of self-care. While making a doctor’s appointment may be overwhelming, ordering a cake might feel effortless.

In some cases, feeling overwhelmed can lead to seeking comfort in easy, instant gratification, rather than tackling more challenging but necessary forms of self-care. This does not, however, diminish the impact of trauma, particularly medical trauma, which can profoundly affect one’s mindset in ways that go beyond the scope of this discussion.

Balancing Mindsets

Mindset adjustments can be an effective way to gain motivation to address more challenging areas of self-care. When starting a new fitness routine, a fixed mindset might say, “This never works—you always fail.” But is that true? You may have stopped a routine in the past and this negative thought creates a sense of who you are. Move this into “I wasn’t successful the last time, what happened?” Now we are shifting into a growth mindset and challenging that negative thought with curiosity. Maybe the challenge from the last attempts was time, not time is often the case. Now is the time to create a game for where time is available.

Perhaps that 30 minutes of social media scrolling could be replaced with a walk in the evening or a 30 minute workout video (Youtube has a bunch). Seeking out answers and then working this into an already existing schedule is a step in the right direction. Notice there are no judgments on that first fixed thought, just an opportunity to challenge this and get curious.

Shifting Mindsets Throughout the Day

Challenging negative thoughts takes effort. This can feel almost impossible at a low energy period in our day. Stay curious about where you have the most energy and take some time to explore what you might see negatively about yourself. Some are energized in the mornings but exhausted by evening, while others are the opposite. Recognizing these patterns can help tailor self-care strategies.

Believing you can’t change leads to guilt, anxiety, and stress. A growth mindset allows you to recognize your capacity for learning and adaptation. For example, learning a new language is a gradual process, much like becoming fluent in your native tongue took years. Each small step forward is an achievement.

Embracing a growth mindset is a form of self-care. Mental Wellbeing is the second pillar of Self-Care the International Self-Care Foundation recognizes. Embracing the concept of growth is a vital part of enhancing mental wellbeing.

Understanding fixed and growth mindset—can deeply impact your approach to self-care and mental well-being. Focusing on mental health as a key pillar, and being open to learning and change, sets the stage for a more resilient and fulfilling self-care routine.