What Are the Two Types of Thoughts We All Have?

The Big Divide: Fast vs. Slow Thinking

We tend to think of thinking (ha!) as one single process. But actually, it’s more like two totally different modes battling for control inside your head. One is quick, automatic, often emotional. The other? Slower, logical, kinda lazy sometimes but way more deliberate.

This idea isn’t just random pop-psych nonsense either — it’s based on the work of Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist. You might’ve heard of System 1 and System 2 thinking. Yeah, it sounds a bit robotic, but stay with me.

System 1: The Fast, Intuitive One

System 1 is that voice that finishes people’s sentences. It reacts fast. It’s instinctive. Like when you slam on the brakes without thinking because someone cuts you off in traffic. Or when you instantly judge someone’s vibe the second you meet them.

I’ve got this friend, Jake — super smart guy, but man, he lives in System 1. I swear, the number of times he’s blurted out something only to go, "Crap, didn’t think that one through..." Honestly, same here. I’ve definitely hit “Reply All” too fast more times than I’d like to admit.

System 2: The Slow, Analytical One

Now, System 2 is like that old friend who takes ages to text back — but when they do, it’s deep and thought-out. It kicks in when you’re solving a math problem, planning a project, or trying to figure out if that cryptic text from your boss was passive-aggressive or not.

Thing is, System 2 is a bit lazy. It needs effort, and let’s be real, most of us would rather not think too hard if we don’t have to (especially after 6 PM or on Mondays).

Why You Need Both (Even When One Is a Bit Dumb)

Here’s the twist — both systems are super important. Fast thinking helps you survive and react quickly. Slow thinking helps you not be an idiot.

Well… sometimes System 1 totally messes up. Ever assumed someone was mad at you based on one emoji? Yep. System 1. Totally guessed wrong. But if you overanalyze everything with System 2, you’ll spend 30 minutes picking a cereal.

When Fast Thinking Fails (Hard)

Okay, story time: I once booked a last-minute trip without reading the fine print. My gut said, “It’s a deal!” My slow brain was clearly asleep. Turned out it was non-refundable, and I couldn’t even travel those dates. €400 down the drain. Painful.

I should’ve paused. Breathed. Let System 2 have the mic for a sec.

When Slow Thinking Saves Your Butt

A few months ago, my colleague Laura and I were trying to decide whether to take on a sketchy-sounding client. She’s a total System 2 queen. We dug into the company’s reviews, their past projects, all of it. Turned out they had a rep for not paying freelancers. Dodged a huge bullet.

The Everyday Battle in Your Brain

This clash between the two systems happens literally all the time. Like when you're trying to decide whether to eat that second cookie. System 1 screams, "Treat yourself!" System 2 mumbles something about sugar levels and self-control. Ugh.

Sometimes I catch myself arguing — like, in my own head — between the impulsive me and the overthinking me. It’s hilarious and kind of exhausting.

Can You Train Your Thoughts?

Honestly? Yes… kinda. You can’t shut System 1 off (nor should you), but you can train yourself to pause and let System 2 speak more often. Meditation, journaling, therapy — all that stuff helps you build that mental pause button.

But hey, I’ll admit it: I still make snap decisions and regret them. Like just last week, I bought this gadget I swore would improve my posture. It’s already collecting dust on my desk. Classic System 1 move. Oops.

Final Thought: Use the Right Thought at the Right Time

So, what are the two types of thoughts? They’re the fast ones that keep you alive and the slow ones that (hopefully) keep you out of trouble. You need both. The trick is knowing when to let each one drive.

Next time you’re about to fire off that angry email or book that flight with zero research — just pause. Breathe. Maybe let your slow brain take the wheel, even if just for a second.

And if you mess up anyway? Welcome to the club.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.