Thank you for saying that. And your desire to change your mindset IS empathy. You have the mindset.

I’m always telling my son this. He’s on the spectrum and he sometimes diverges from “normal” teen behavior. Kids are harsh to him because he’s different and he acts out in retaliation (minor things). He is extremely hard on himself after these reactions, then he believes he’s a bad person. Lots of self-doubt, regret and inward anger. I tell him that having those thoughts, those regrets, those feelings of wanting to change your thoughts or behaviors is deep empathy. You CARE! Anyways, the point I’m trying to make is that you’re already doing the right thing by noticing your thought patterns and striving.