Situation: Leaving college and stepping into the next chapter

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Graduation is not the end — it’s the beginning of new opportunities. I’ll carry what I’ve learned forward.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I can’t stop. If I rest, I’ll fall behind.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you remind yourself — or a friend — that rest and reflection are part of success?

Situation: Moving to a new city for work

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “This is a chance to grow and explore. I’ll build new connections step by step.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll never fit in. I’ll always be alone here.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What’s one way you could make a new place feel like home?

Situation: Starting a first full‑time job

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Every beginner learns. I’ll grow into this role with time and effort.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’m not ready. I’ll fail at everything.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: If a friend doubted themselves at a new job, how could you encourage them?

Situation: Facing student loan debt

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “This is a challenge, but I can make a plan and work through it.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll never escape this. My future is ruined.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you remind yourself or a peer that financial struggles don’t define their worth

Situation: Losing touch with college friends

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Distance doesn’t erase connection. I can stay in touch and also make new friends.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll be forgotten. I’ll never have close friends again.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What’s one simple way to keep a friendship alive after graduation?

Situation: Feeling uncertain about career direction

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “It’s okay not to have all the answers. I’ll explore and discover my path.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’m lost. I’ll never figure out what I’m meant to do.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you support a friend who feels stuck about their future?

Situation: Returning home after college

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “This is a chance to regroup, save money, and plan my next step.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I failed. Moving back means I’m going backwards.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What positive opportunities could come from spending time at home after college?

Situation: Comparing yourself to peers who seem ahead

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Everyone’s timeline is different. My journey has value too.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll never catch up. I’m always behind.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you celebrate your own progress without measuring it against others?

Situation: Comparing yourself to peers who seem ahead

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Everyone’s timeline is different. My journey has value too.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll never catch up. I’m always behind.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you celebrate your own progress without measuring it against others?

Situation: First apartment after college

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “This is my space to grow. I’ll learn how to manage it step by step.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I can’t handle this. Living alone means I’ll fail.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you help a friend feel confident about living on their own?

Situation: Starting graduate school

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “This is a new challenge, but I’ve proven I can learn and adapt.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll never keep up. Everyone else is smarter than me.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What advice would you give someone doubting their ability to succeed in grad school?

Situation: Facing rejection from graduate programs

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Rejection is redirection. I’ll find another path that fits me.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’m not good enough for higher education.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you remind yourself that one rejection doesn’t define your future

Situation: Entering a long‑distance relationship after college

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Distance is tough, but communication and trust can keep us strong.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “It’s impossible. We’ll drift apart.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What’s one way you could support a friend in a long‑distance relationship?

Situation: Switching career paths after graduation

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Changing direction is growth. I’m allowed to explore new passions.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I wasted my degree. I’ll never succeed.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you encourage someone who feels guilty about changing careers?

Situation: Facing workplace discrimination or bias

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “I deserve respect. I’ll seek allies and stand up for myself.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I should stay quiet. Speaking up will only hurt me.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What’s one way you could support a peer experiencing unfair treatment?

Situation: Struggling with health insurance or adult responsibilities

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Adulting is complex, but I can learn and ask for help.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I’ll never figure this out. I’m failing at life.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you reassure a friend overwhelmed by adult responsibilities?

Situation: Returning to college for a second degree

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “It’s never too late to learn. This is a chance to expand my skills.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I should’ve gotten it right the first time. I’m behind everyone else.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: What would you say to someone who feels embarrassed about going back to school?

Situation: Facing burnout in early career

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “Rest is part of success. I’ll recharge and set healthier boundaries.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I can’t stop. If I rest, I’ll lose everything.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you remind yourself that balance is strength, not weakness?

Situation: Navigating cultural identity in the workplace

• ✅️ Right Thinking: “My culture is a strength. Sharing it adds value to the team.”

• ❌ Negative Thinking: “I should hide who I am to fit in.”

👉 Prompt: Which response feels more caring to you?

👉 Follow‑up Question: How could you help a peer feel proud of their heritage at work?

“The Launch Chapter”