Everyone Is Hypnotized

# Everyone Is Hypnotized We like to believe that we're awake, conscious, and steering our own lives with rational choices. Yet there’s much to suggest that all of us, to some extent, are “hypnotized”—not by a mentalist on stage, but by our own experiences, thoughts, and internal interpretations. Our beliefs and self-talk form a kind of filter that determines how we understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. In this article, I’ll explore how this happens, why it happens—and most importantly: how we can wake up a bit more from our daily hypnosis and change the patterns that control our lives. ## The Subtle Power of Self-Image We often think our actions reflect our actual abilities and values, but in truth, they are mainly shaped by our thoughts about ourselves—what we call the self-image. Self-image acts as a mental algorithm; a recipe, or set of unconscious instructions, that interprets every situation and experience we encounter. Perhaps you recognize this: One negative comment at work can grow into a belief that you’re not competent—and this conviction can color everything you do. ### Alfred Adler and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies Let’s start with a concrete story from Alfred Adler, one of the great pioneers in personality psychology. As a child, Adler was early labeled as bad at math by his teachers. He internalized these judgments and went through several school years convinced that math wasn’t his thing. But one day he cracked the code to a difficult equation. His confidence shifted instantly, and suddenly he could do far more than he had ever thought possible. It wasn’t his skills that changed overnight—it was his belief in his own abilities. This illustrates how self-image “hypnotizes” us to behave in line with the expectations we have for ourselves, whether positive or negative. ### The Conclusion—Not the Experience—Shapes Us Our experiences themselves aren’t always decisive, but the conclusions we draw from them become like mantras in our subconscious. These often trace back to childhood, environment, or random events interpreted as truths. Over time, they become almost invisible to us but shape how we think, act, and feel—like deep, unconscious programs running in the background. ## Maxwell Maltz: Self-Image as an Inner Instruction Maxwell Maltz was a renowned plastic surgeon who noticed an interesting phenomenon: many patients were not any happier even after achieving their ideal appearance. The self-image—all the thoughts and beliefs a person holds about themselves—remained unchanged. This led Maltz into studies of the psychology of self-image, where he described it as a deep set of instructions guiding how we think, react, and interpret the world. Through this insight grew a new understanding: experiences of success often give us a better self-image, while setbacks and failures can wear it down. Still, it’s not just the events themselves but how we interpret and understand them—what stories we weave about ourselves based on what happens. ## Visualization and the Brain’s Missing Filter A fascinating source of insight on the power of self-image lies in modern psychology’s research into visualization. Our brains don’t always distinguish between fantasy and reality. Studies have shown that those who visualize success and desired skills can actually develop measurable improvements, almost on par with physical training. A well-known experiment involved basketball players. One group practiced shooting physically, while another only visualized making successful shots. Afterwards, the visualization group performed surprisingly well—actually better than those who practiced only physically. This doesn’t mean daydreaming can replace real effort, but it highlights just how powerful our internal images, attitudes, and expectations are for performance and growth. ## Self-Reinforcing Patterns and Mental Hypnosis Hypnosis, in its classic sense, is something most associate with shows, stages, and extremes—people suddenly clucking like chickens or bursting into laughter. But hypnosis, at its core, is about following deep, unconscious suggestions or instructions—often without actively evaluating their reality. This is exactly how many of our daily thoughts and feelings work. A negative self-image becomes an internal instruction we follow without question. We start to act in line with what we believe, reinforcing the patterns—for better or for worse. For example, self-fulfilling prophecies can arise: Someone afraid of appearing uninformed may avoid speaking in meetings, and is thus perceived as passive—further interpreted by others as a lack of expertise. This creates a pattern that almost automatically reproduces the negative self-image. ## Are Mantras and Manifesting the Path to Change? There’s a trend in self-help literature promising “you can think your way to success” or “manifest what you desire.” Positive self-talk and mantras, according to many books, are shortcuts to a better self-image. It’s true that attitudes and expectations do have a real influence, but here’s an important nuance: If your deep, core beliefs don’t support the surface-level mantras, it doesn’t matter how many times you tell yourself “I am competent.” The power of thought is significant, but for it to make a lasting difference, you have to work deep within your mental system. The example of lifting your arm illustrates this: If I decide to lift my arm, I do—it’s the thought that triggers physical movement. But for the desire for change to become more than just a word, we must find and process the deeper feelings, beliefs, and values we hold about ourselves. Psychologist Maxwell Maltz pointed out as early as the 1960s the importance of understanding and changing the unconscious images and attitudes we have about ourselves to achieve lasting personal transformation (see the book “Psycho-Cybernetics”). ## Emotions as Attitudes—Accepting Your Entire Inner Life Thoughts aren’t the only hypnotic drivers within us—emotions can also act as deep-seated attitudes that guide our choices. Many learn early on that certain feelings “aren’t worth anything,” or are even taboo—maybe anger was unwelcome growing up or sadness met with rejection. We then develop unconscious inner messages that it’s not okay to be angry or to grieve. These ingrained attitudes shape us well into adulthood, making us blind to parts of our emotional life. When facing our own feelings, it’s not always easy to change course. Many try to fight uncomfortable feelings with thoughts, distraction, or by ignoring them. In doing so, we cling to a self-image where only success, control, or calm matter, and everything else must be suppressed. Sometimes, maturing and growing isn’t about being more positive, but about letting a broader register of feelings and experiences have their place in life. ## How to Break Your Own Hypnosis? You might be asking yourself now: How can you break old, unconscious patterns? How do you wake up from daily hypnosis? The first step is to become aware of the internal voices and images that shape your self-image. This isn’t just about thinking positive thoughts, but about noticing the stories and “invisible rules” you live by. Mindfulness—the ability to observe your own thoughts and feelings without necessarily believing them—is a powerful tool here. By developing metacognition, the ability to think about your own thoughts, you can start spotting automatic patterns and create more distance between impulse and action. The next step is to challenge old beliefs. Ask yourself: - Where does this thought come from? - Does it match the facts? - Are there experiences that say otherwise? - How would I act if I believed something different? By exploring questions like these, you open up possibilities for shaping a more flexible and kind self-image. ## Self-Image and Understanding Reality: A Lifelong Project Self-image isn’t static; it’s shaped and changed throughout life. It’s the sum of our interpretations, memories, experiences, and the stories we tell ourselves. Sometimes it’s necessary to look back: Where did this thought or emotional pattern come from? When did I learn to think I’m not enough, or that I have to be the best? Often it’s in such reflections that you can find the key to changing old patterns. It can also be useful to seek inspiration in literature and psychological texts that explore these themes in depth. Books like Maxwell Maltz’s “Psycho-Cybernetics” or Alfred Adler’s works offer insights into how we, often unconsciously, shape our own reality—and how we can take back control. ## Closing Reflections All people are, in a sense, hypnotized by their own experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns. At times, we’re stuck in automatic, repetitive interpretations that limit us; at other times, we manage to free ourselves and see ourselves with new eyes. The way out of this hypnosis is, above all, about becoming conscious of how thought and emotional patterns actually govern daily life. Through awareness, practice, and reflection, you can gradually change your mental filter—and wake up a little more to your true potential. --- **Want to dive deeper into this topic?** This is a topic psychologist Sondre Risholm Liverød talks more about in the podcast episode of the same name. You can find the episode as part of the exercise material on [BeBalanced.ai](https://bebalanced.ai).