Love You or Hate You...You're Right!

We've all heard that voice. That little voice inside our head that talks to us throughout the day. Sometimes it tells us that we're awesome and that we're winning at life. But of the 80,000 or so thoughts we have daily, scientists estimate that about 60% of them are negative.

In this blog article, we'll discuss the effects of negative self-talk and ways to incorporate positive self-talk to counter it. By replacing our negative thoughts with positive ones, we'll be better equipped to cope with stress, stay motivated and make progress in our lives. So, if you're ready to learn more about how to talk to yourself in a constructive way, let's get started!

Identify Your Negative Self-Talk

The first step to changing your negative self-talk is to recognize it. This can be difficult, as we may not be aware of how often we have negative thoughts. Negative self-talk can manifest as critical comments or doubts about our abilities and worth. It may be something like “I can’t do this,” or “I’m so stupid.” It can also take the form of absolute statements like “I will never be successful” or “I should be perfect.”

It is important to take the time to become aware of your thoughts. One way to do this is to write down or journal how you feel about a particular event or situation. This will help you pinpoint any negative thought patterns. Sometimes it may be helpful to talk to a friend or family member who can provide an honest and outside perspective of your thoughts.

Another way to recognize negative self-talk is to monitor your body language. Deliberately changing your body position can help to reduce negative thoughts. For example, if you are feeling anxious, try taking deep breaths and consciously engaging your muscles in a relaxed position. This physical activity can help reduce the intensity of the thoughts.

Finally, it is important to be aware of the words you use when talking to yourself. Negative words like “should” and “never” are often red flags of negative self-talk. By being conscious of the words you use, you can begin to identify and challenge your own negative thoughts.

Replace Negative Thoughts With Positive Affirmations

Changing negative self-talk to positive self-talk can be difficult, but it's an important step in creating a more positive and healthy mindset. One way to help make these changes is to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

Positive affirmations are declarations that you make to yourself about who you are and what you are capable of achieving. They are statements that help to encourage and motivate yourself through difficult times or when faced with a challenge.

Creating positive affirmations may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Start by thinking of the areas of your life you want to improve, such as your career, relationships, health, or sense of purpose. Once you identify the areas you want to make positive changes in, create affirmations that counter the negative thoughts you have about yourself in those areas.

For example, if you want to improve your career, you could create an affirmation that states: “I am a talented and capable professional. I will work hard and do my best to reach my goals.” Or if you want to improve your relationship with others, you could create an affirmation such as: “I care about others, and I am a valuable friend.”

Once you’ve crafted your affirmations, make them part of your daily routine. Say them out loud to yourself every morning and night. Repeat them silently throughout the day when you feel anxious or when negative thoughts start to creep in.

Finally, be patient. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it may take time for you to start believing in your affirmations. But with consistency and dedication, it is possible to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations and create a healthier

Engage In Positive Actions

One of the most effective ways to shift your negative self-talk to positive self-talk is to engage in positive actions. When you are engaging in positive actions, it gives you something to focus on other than the negative thoughts you may have. It gives you an opportunity to practice believing in yourself and reinforcing that positive self-talk.

Some examples of positive actions that you can engage in are:

1. Exercise - Exercise releases endorphins which help to boost your mood and increase your self-confidence. When you exercise, focus on the positive and visualize yourself achieving your goals.

2. Read Positive Literature - Reading positive literature such as self-help books and inspirational blogs can help to shift your thinking to a more positive attitude.

3. Talk To A Positive Role Model - Talking to someone whom you admire and who has had success in life can help to motivate you to think differently. Ask them for advice and how they overcame any challenges that they faced.

4. Volunteer - Giving your time and energy to a cause that you are passionate about can help to reinforce positive thinking. When you volunteer, you will be surrounded by positive people and have the opportunity to build relationships with others who share similar goals and interests.

5. Practice Gratitude - Make a habit of expressing gratitude for all the good things in your life. When your thoughts start to drift towards the negative, pause and reflect on all the things you are grateful for. This will help to shift your mindset to a more positive one.

By engaging in positive actions, you can help to shift your mindset to a more positive one and start believing in yourself. Practice these positive activities regularly

Change Your Environment To Support Positive Self-Talk

We tend to be surrounded by people and circumstances that can either support or detract from our positive self-talk. Therefore, it’s important to recognize how our environment can influence our thoughts and words.

One of the most important steps in changing our negative self-talk is to be aware of how our environment affects us. We can make conscious changes to create an environment that is conducive to positive self-talk.

Avoid Toxic People

The first step is to take an inventory of the people in your life and make sure they are supporting your positive self-talk. If there are people who are always being negative or criticizing you then it’s time to set some boundaries and perhaps even distance yourself.

Be Selective With Your Media

The media we consume can shape our self-talk. Be sure to seek out media sources that are uplifting and positive, and that focus on topics that are important to you. You can even use social media as a tool to cultivate positive self-talk by connecting with people and organizations that have positive messages and that value self-care.

Meditation and Exercise

A regular meditation and exercise routine can also help to create an environment that is more conducive to positive self-talk. Meditation can help us to become more mindful of our thoughts and more aware of our environment. Exercise releases endorphins and can be a great way to boost our mood and feel more energized.

Create a Calm Space

Creating a calming space with relaxing music, candles, or other calming elements can help to create a safe and peaceful space for positive self-talk. Being in a space that is comfortable and calming can help us to recognize any negative self-talk.

For help with negative self-talk please reach out to Kelly Blackmon.