When we personalize something, we take total responsibility for the external events that occurred, and ignore other important factors. As a consequence, we blame ourselves for everything that goes wrong or that could go wrong – even when we may only be partly responsible, or not responsible at all. Personalizing is blaming oneself. “It’s my fault. I should have known it would rain on the day of the party.”

Carrying 100% of the responsibility is a rather large burden to bear, and one that’s likely to leave you feeling discouraged or overwhelmed. It is unhelpful to accept total responsibility for events that are beyond your control, or to accept more responsibility than is your share.