12 Thoughts Everyone Has but Pretends Not to

12 Thoughts Everyone Has but Pretends Not to

We all have those sneaky little thoughts that pop into our heads at the worst possible moments.

You know the ones—they make you feel guilty, weird, or just plain human.

The truth is, everyone has these thoughts, but we rarely talk about them because we worry others might judge us.

Today, we’re breaking that silence and exploring twelve common thoughts that prove you’re more normal than you think.

1. Wishing Someone Would Cancel Plans

You made plans weeks ago and felt excited then.

Now the day has arrived, and all you want is to stay home in your pajamas watching TV.

You start hoping your friend texts to cancel so you don’t have to be the bad guy.

This feeling is super common because social energy is real and limited.

Sometimes your body just needs rest more than fun.

Most people feel relieved when plans get canceled, even though they’d never admit it out loud.

Being honest with yourself about your energy levels helps you make better choices.

You can politely reschedule without feeling guilty about needing alone time.

2. Imagining What You’d Do With Lottery Winnings

Walking past a convenience store, your mind immediately starts planning your mansion and world travels.

You haven’t even bought a ticket, but you’ve already quit your imaginary job and donated to charity.

These daydreams feel almost real for those few minutes.

Fantasy planning is actually healthy for your brain because it lets you explore desires safely.

Psychologists say these thoughts help us understand what we truly value in life.

Money fantasies reveal your deepest wishes and priorities.

Everyone does this, from kids to grandparents.

It’s a harmless way to escape reality for a moment.

3. Rehearsing Conversations That Will Never Happen

In the shower, you’re delivering the perfect comeback to an argument from three years ago.

You practice what you’d say if you ran into your ex or finally told off that rude coworker.

Your imaginary self is witty, confident, and always wins.

Mental rehearsals happen because our brains love being prepared for conflict.

It’s a survival instinct that helps us feel more in control.

Even though these conversations rarely occur, practicing them reduces anxiety about future confrontations.

This habit is completely normal and can actually boost your confidence.

Just don’t let it consume too much of your day.

4. Wondering If People Actually Like You

After hanging out with friends, you replay every word you said.

Did they really laugh at your jokes, or were they just being polite?

Maybe that weird comment you made ruined everything and they secretly think you’re annoying.

Social anxiety affects almost everyone at some level, regardless of confidence.

Our brains evolved to care about group acceptance because survival once depended on it.

The reality is that most people are too worried about themselves to judge you harshly.

True friends appreciate your quirks and forgive awkward moments.

If they spend time with you, they probably genuinely enjoy your company.

5. Judging People Based on Their Shopping Carts

Standing in the grocery line, you peek at what others are buying.

Someone has all frozen dinners and energy drinks—you create an entire life story for them.

Another cart is full of organic vegetables, and you assume they’re super healthy and organized.

Humans naturally categorize and judge as a way to understand the world quickly.

Shopping carts offer a glimpse into lifestyle choices, making them perfect for harmless speculation.

Everyone does this, even though we know we shouldn’t judge books by their covers.

Remember that one shopping trip doesn’t tell someone’s whole story.

That person buying junk food might be having a rough week.

6. Feeling Secretly Happy About Someone Else’s Failure

Your coworker who always brags just messed up a big presentation.

A tiny part of you feels satisfied, even though you know that’s not nice.

You’d never say it out loud, but the schadenfreude is real and kind of satisfying.

Schadenfreude is a German word meaning pleasure from others’ misfortune, and it’s totally human.

Research shows these feelings are especially strong when the person seems arrogant or unfair.

Your brain sees their failure as justice being served, which triggers reward centers.

Having these thoughts doesn’t make you a bad person.

What matters is how you act—keeping it to yourself and not gloating shows good character.

7. Pretending to Be Busy on Your Phone

Someone awkward approaches, and suddenly your phone becomes fascinating.

You’re not actually reading anything important—just scrolling randomly to avoid conversation.

Your screen might even be on the home page, but you stare at it like it contains life’s secrets.

Phones have become our social shields in uncomfortable situations.

They provide an acceptable excuse to avoid interaction without seeming rude.

Studies show that most people use their phones as security blankets in public spaces.

While occasionally useful, relying too heavily on this trick can prevent genuine connections.

Sometimes the awkward person just wants a friendly smile or quick hello.

8. Checking How Many Likes Your Post Got

You posted something online five minutes ago.

Already you’ve checked it three times to see if anyone liked or commented.

Each notification gives a little dopamine rush, and silence feels like rejection, even though you know it’s silly.

Social media platforms are designed to trigger these checking behaviors by using psychological reward systems.

Your brain craves validation, and likes provide instant feedback about social acceptance.

Even people who claim not to care usually check more than they admit.

Awareness of this habit helps you control it better.

Setting specific times to check social media reduces anxiety and obsessive refreshing throughout the day.

9. Thinking Your Problems Are Unique

Nobody could possibly understand what you’re going through right now.

Your situation feels so specific and complicated that you must be the only person who’s ever felt this way.

Sharing seems pointless because how could anyone relate to your exact circumstances?

This thought pattern is ironic because literally everyone thinks their problems are uniquely terrible.

Human experiences are remarkably similar across cultures and time periods.

The details differ, but the emotions—loneliness, frustration, confusion—are universal and deeply shared.

Opening up usually reveals that others have faced similar struggles.

Connection happens when we realize we’re not as alone as we thought.

10. Stalking Someone’s Social Media

You start with one photo and suddenly you’re three years deep into someone’s Instagram.

Maybe it’s an ex, a crush, or just someone from high school you barely knew.

You’re terrified of accidentally liking something and revealing your digital detective work.

Curiosity about others’ lives is hardwired into human nature as a social survival skill.

Social media just makes this ancient impulse incredibly easy to satisfy.

Research shows that almost everyone has done some form of online stalking, though few admit it.

The key is knowing when curiosity becomes unhealthy obsession.

Brief check-ins are normal; hours of scrolling might signal you need better boundaries.

11. Having Weird Intrusive Thoughts

Standing on a balcony, you suddenly imagine jumping—not because you want to, but because your brain just went there.

Or you picture shouting something inappropriate in a quiet library.

These bizarre thoughts appear from nowhere and disappear just as quickly.

Psychologists call these intrusive thoughts, and they’re completely normal brain glitches.

Your mind is constantly running scenarios, including dangerous or socially unacceptable ones, as a safety check.

Having the thought doesn’t mean you’ll act on it or that something’s wrong with you.

Nearly everyone experiences intrusive thoughts regularly.

They only become problematic if they cause severe distress or won’t go away, which might indicate anxiety disorders.

12. Comparing Your Life to Others

Your friend just got promoted, bought a house, and got engaged—all while you’re still figuring out basic adulting.

You feel happy for them but also weirdly behind, like you missed some important life memo.

Everyone else seems to have it together except you.

Comparison is natural but often unfair because we compare our messy behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.

Social media amplifies this by showing only the best moments of others’ lives.

Remember that everyone struggles privately with doubts and setbacks they don’t post about.

Life isn’t a race with a single finish line.

Your timeline is valid even when it looks different from others’ paths.