Through my glasses: How our “private logic” and our colored view shape our lives

Have you ever noticed how you react completely differently to a situation than someone else might? How your interpretation of the world seems so natural to you, yet others see the same thing through a completely different lens? That’s exactly what the psychological concepts of private logic and biased apperception help us understand. We all move through life wearing a pair of unique glasses—whether we’re aware of it or not.

What is “Private Logic”?

The term private logic was coined by Austrian psychotherapist Alfred Adler. It describes the internal set of beliefs, values, and assumptions we unconsciously develop over time to make sense of the world and our place in it. Think of it as a personal map of reality—one that guides how we see ourselves, how we interpret others, and how we react to what happens around us. It’s the inner script behind our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, even if it’s invisible to others.

And What is “Biased Apperception”?

Biased apperception comes from the field of perception psychology and refers to the idea that our perception is never neutral. Instead, it’s always filtered through our personal experiences, expectations, and emotional states.

We don’t just see the world—we interpret it. What we notice, how we react, and the meaning we assign to things are all colored by our internal lens. That means we don’t experience “objective” reality—we experience our own version of it.

My Glasses as a Metaphor for Private Logic and Biased Apperception

My glasses – which I wear in real life due to my impaired vision – are much more to me than just a tool to see more clearly. They’ve become a symbol of my attitude and approach to mental health: how we can understand and mindfully question our individual perception in order to gain new perspectives. When I put on my glasses, I’m reminded that my view of the world is always subjective. That’s what makes it so exciting to stay open – to other points of view, and to new insights about myself.

When I put on my glasses, it’s a gentle reminder that my perception is always just that—mine. It encourages me to stay open to other people’s perspectives and to check in with my own biases and inner narratives.

Why This Matters for Mental Wealth

To me, mental health isn’t just about coping—it’s about understanding. When we become aware of our private logic and the biases in our perception, we gain access to powerful tools for personal growth. It allows us to:

• recognize limiting thought patterns

• meet ourselves with more self-compassion

• make more grounded decisions

• engage with others more empathetically

How to “Clean Your Glasses” and Widen Your View

Here are a few prompts to help you reflect on your own lens:

• Ask yourself: What beliefs am I carrying with me? Do they support me – or are they holding me back? A particularly helpful approach here can be the depth-psychology-based lifestyle analysis from Individual Psychology, as it helps make unconscious patterns visible and easier to understand.

• Practice perspective-taking: Try seeing situations through someone else’s eyes. How might they view your inner lens?

• Use mindfulness: Notice your thoughts and emotions without judgment. What patterns or assumptions show up?

• Stay open: Be willing to let new experiences and insights reshape your lens over time.

Final Thoughts

We all wear glasses—figuratively speaking. They’re shaped by our stories, our fears, our values. Becoming aware of them is a powerful act of self-leadership. For me, my actual glasses are a daily symbol: Look closely—and stay open to new perspectives. What do you see? What do your glasses show you?