For decades, many people believed intelligence and talent were fixed — you were either born gifted, or you weren’t. This way of thinking, known as a fixed mindset, limits growth by making challenges feel like threats to our identity. If failure means you’re “not smart enough,” why even try?

Mindfulness involves maintaining a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, which can help individuals disconnect from cycles of rumination, anxiety, and negative. Stress often arises when individuals focus too heavily on past regrets or future worries.