Are You Making Psychic Assumptions? A Lesson from The Mountain Is You

I recently read an incredible book called The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. The book explores the intricate ways we self-sabotage and how we can transform these patterns into self-mastery. One of the most compelling concepts Wiest introduces is psychic assumptions — the unconscious tendency to predict outcomes, events, or even people’s thoughts and feelings based on past experiences and cognitive biases.

At first glance, this might not seem like a big deal. After all, making assumptions is a natural part of human cognition; we rely on past experiences to navigate the present. But Wiest argues that psychic assumptions are problematic because they are inherently false. No matter how much we think we know what will happen, we are still basing our predictions on subjective perceptions, not actual reality.

What Are Psychic Assumptions?

Psychic assumptions occur when we think we know how something will turn out without actual evidence. They stem from a mix of cognitive biases, past experiences, and emotional conditioning. For example:

• You assume a new romantic interest will eventually hurt you because past relationships ended in heartbreak.
• You expect a conversation to go badly before it even starts, leading you to approach it with defensiveness.
• You believe your efforts will be unappreciated at work because you’ve been overlooked in the past.
• You assume someone is upset with you because they took longer than usual to respond to a message.

In each of these cases, the assumption is based on prior experiences rather than the present moment. We convince ourselves that we know how something will unfold when, in reality, we are simply projecting past fears or insecurities onto the present.

Why Do We Engage in Psychic Assumptions?

Wiest suggests that psychic assumptions function as a defense mechanism. They allow us to create a false sense of control over the unknown. If we believe we can predict an outcome, we subconsciously think we can:

1. Control the situation — If we anticipate disappointment, rejection, or failure, we might try to manipulate events to avoid it. This could mean over-preparing, shutting down emotionally, or avoiding certain risks altogether.
2. Protect ourselves from pain — By expecting the worst, we believe we’ll soften the blow if things don’t go our way. The logic is: If I assume it’s going to hurt, it won’t hurt as much when it happens.
3. Confirm our beliefs — Sometimes, psychic assumptions reinforce limiting beliefs we already hold: People always leave, I’m not good enough, Things never work out for me. When we expect failure, rejection, or disappointment, we unknowingly seek confirmation of these beliefs, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This kind of thinking is especially common for those who have experienced repeated emotional wounds, whether from relationships, family, or past traumas. The brain learns to anticipate danger — even when none exists — as a way to protect us from experiencing the same pain again.

The Problem with Psychic Assumptions

While psychic assumptions may feel like they keep us safe, they actually work against us. Here’s why:

• They distort reality — Instead of seeing things as they truly are, we filter them through the lens of past experiences. This prevents us from making objective decisions.
• They limit possibilities — By assuming an outcome, we close ourselves off to other potential (and possibly better) outcomes. If we expect rejection, we might withdraw before giving something a real chance.
• They create unnecessary anxiety — Predicting the worst keeps us in a constant state of stress and worry, even when there’s no real threat.
• They sabotage relationships — If we assume the worst about others’ intentions, we may react in ways that push them away, reinforcing the very fears we were trying to avoid.

For example, imagine someone who has been hurt in past relationships. They enter a new relationship but constantly assume their partner will eventually betray them. As a result, they become guarded, distant, or even accusatory — pushing their partner away. This reinforces their belief that relationships always end in heartbreak, when in reality, their fear-driven behavior played a role in the outcome.

How to Overcome Psychic Assumptions

The good news? We don’t have to live in this cycle. Breaking free from psychic assumptions requires awareness, mindfulness, and a conscious effort to challenge our automatic thoughts.

1. Question Your Assumptions

Whenever you find yourself assuming an outcome, pause and ask:

• Do I have actual evidence to support this, or is this based on past experiences?
• Am I projecting my fears onto this situation?
• Is there a more balanced way to look at this?

2. Stay Present

Psychic assumptions thrive on past wounds and future anxieties. The more you anchor yourself in the now, the less power they have. Practicing mindfulness — whether through meditation, journaling, or simply taking a deep breath — can help ground you in the present.

3. Communicate Instead of Assuming

Instead of guessing how someone feels, ask them. Instead of assuming how a situation will unfold, experience it as it comes. More often than not, reality is far less catastrophic than our minds make it out to be.

4. Reframe Your Thinking

Try shifting your mindset from “I know this will go badly” to “I am open to seeing what happens.” Instead of “This will hurt,” try “I am capable of handling whatever comes my way.”

5. Trust Yourself

Even if things don’t go as planned, remind yourself that you can handle uncertainty. The goal is not to avoid pain altogether, but to trust in your resilience to navigate whatever comes your way.

Brianna Wiest’s concept of psychic assumptions is a powerful reminder of how our minds can trick us into believing we know the future — when in reality, we don’t. These assumptions may feel like protection, but they often hold us back from experiencing life fully.

So, what do you think? Have you caught yourself making psychic assumptions in your own life? How do you navigate uncertainty without letting fear dictate your decisions?

Let’s discuss.