Frame of mind

Definition

A particular mood, attitude, or mental disposition that influences how someone perceives or approaches situations.

Etymology

Dating from the 18th century, this phrase uses 'frame' in the sense of structure or framework, borrowed from carpentry and construction. The metaphor suggests that our mental attitudes provide a structural framework that shapes how we view and interpret experiences, much like a picture frame shapes how we see an image.

Kelly Says

This phrase brilliantly captures how our mental attitudes act like frames around a painting - they don't change the content of our experiences, but they dramatically alter how we perceive and interpret them. The construction metaphor also suggests that frames of mind can be deliberately built, adjusted, or replaced.

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