#2: Session 1 > MBT What Is Mentalizing

🎙️ Episode 2 – Session 1: What Is Mentalizing?

Welcome to the first real session of this MBT-i series.
Today we begin at the core of everything: mentalizing — the ability to understand yourself, others, and the relationships between you.

📌 What this session is about;

• Mentalizing means noticing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and recognizing that other people also act from their own inner worlds.

• It’s about being curious, open-minded, and non-judgmental — even when emotions run high.

• When you can mentalize, you gain insight, self-control, and healthier communication.

🔎 Real-life examples;

• You pause before reacting in anger and ask yourself, “What might this person be feeling right now?”

• You realise that someone’s silence doesn’t necessarily mean rejection — it could mean they feel anxious or unsure.

📚 Why it matters;

Mentalizing connects emotion with understanding.
It helps prevent misunderstandings, keeps relationships balanced, and allows you to stay calm when things feel chaotic.

✨ How MBT works with this;

Throughout MBT you’ll practise a mentalizing attitude:

• Stay curious about yourself and others.

• Accept that you can never know exactly what someone else feels.

• Remember that emotions influence thoughts — and vice versa.

💡 Practice from Session 1;

Have a short conversation with someone close to you.
Try to find out how their day really felt for them.
Then write down:
1️⃣ How you think they felt (and check if you were right).
2️⃣ How it was for you to ask and listen.

🌟 Core message;

Mentalizing starts with curiosity.
It’s not about being right — it’s about wanting to understand.
By staying open, even in confusion, you begin the journey toward better self-awareness and deeper connection.