Aamir Khan recently opened up about the struggles he has faced due to his all-or-nothing tendencies, revealing how his drinking habits once spiraled into nights of excess. During an interview with Nana Patekar published on Zee Music Company’s YouTube channel, the actor revealed that he recently quit drinking, acknowledging that he used to drink heavily in the past. However, he admitted that he still smokes a pipe. While Khan shared that he is disciplined when it comes to his work in films, he confessed that the same cannot be said for other areas of his life, describing himself as “extremist and indisciplined.” Patekar asked Khan whether he was on time for shoots, to which he replied, “Yes. For that, I am always on time. So I am not indisciplined when it comes to my films but in my life, I am.” Aamir said that he is also “very lazy.” When asked about his “bad habits” the actor shared, “I smoke a pipe. Now I have quit drinking but at one point, I used to drink. And when I used to drink, I would drink all night. I could not stop.” The Laal Singh Chaddha actor continued, “The problem is that I am an extremist man so I continue to do what I am already doing. It’s not a good thing and I realise that. I also know that I am doing the wrong thing but I can’t stop myself.” Whether it’s staying up all night, overindulging in a hobby, or struggling with an all-or-nothing mindset, many of us experience moments when our habits feel out of control. Understanding why such tendencies develop and learning strategies to moderate them can be crucial for maintaining stability and well-being. Psychological factors contribute to all-or-nothing tendencies Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing, tells indianexpress.com, “All-or-nothing tendencies often have roots in both psychological and environmental factors, and while the specifics vary from person to person, there are some common threads. A big one is perfectionism, where a person’s self-worth becomes tied to their achievements. It’s as if they see every success or failure as a direct reflection of who they are. For them, anything short of perfection feels like failure, and this black-and-white mindset leaves no room for the gray areas of life.” This way of thinking can also stem from how someone was raised, she adds. “Imagine growing up in an environment where praise was rare unless you excelled or where mistakes were punished harshly. Over time, a person might internalise the idea that ‘only perfect is good enough,’ and anything less feels unacceptable.” Cognitively, this is tied to what’s often called black-and-white thinking. It’s a mental shortcut where things are seen in extremes - success or failure, good or bad, all or nothing. Sometimes, this relentless push for perfection creates a kind of rebellion against oneself. Practical steps individuals can take to recognise and manage extremist habits in their daily lives Baruah states, “It’s great to intentionally catch oneself when extremist habits show up because the first step toward change is recognition. Acknowledging the pattern and accepting it as something that needs attention is half the job done. Start by tuning into your thoughts and feelings, especially when faced with a task or responsibility.” Once you catch yourself slipping into these patterns, she suggests, remind yourself that it’s a cognitive distortion playing tricks on you. Sit with yourself and reflect - without judgement - on what’s happening. “Small, intentional actions can make a big difference. Break tasks into manageable pieces and focus on just taking the first step, no matter how small it feels. Each step builds momentum. Over time, these moments of mindfulness and action can help you manage extremist habits and find balance in daily life,” states Baruah. If the journey feels overwhelming, consider therapy, the psychologist recommends.
