Positive self talk is a powerful tool to create a lasting change and a prosperous future.
In this series, you have embarked on the self-love journey with me, and I hope that you’ve noticed some positive changes.
Since the start of our journey, you’ve been encouraged to incorporate a few simple and easy elements into your daily routine and take consistent action, to generate change through self-love.
- 1. Positive Self Talk Helps You to See Yourself in a Different Perspective
- Tip: How To Stop Negative Self Talk
- 2. Positive Self Talk Gives You More Confidence
- Tip: How To Practice Positive Self Talk In Writing
- 3. Positive Self Talk Helps You See a Positive Future
- Tip: How To Practice Positive Self Talk With Visual Activities
- 4. Positive Self Talk Helps Reduce Stress
- Tip: How To Practice Positive Self Talk With Planning
- 5. Positive Self Talk Helps You Maintain Control Over Emotions
- Self Love Program
One of the most crucial elements of enhancing self-love is how we communicate with ourselves and what we communicate to ourselves.
The way you treat yourself in your own mind has a lot more significance than most people give it credit for. There are times when people might self-abuse or say nasty mean things to themselves out of habit, but the consequences of this negative self-communication are much farther reaching than they believe.
We already touched upon self-talk in one of the previous articles of this series, and I hope that you’ve given it a go.
In the next few paragraphs, we’ll drill down a bit more about the importance of positive self-talk and take our action a bit further.
1. Positive Self Talk Helps You to See Yourself in a Different Perspective
When you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you tell yourself?
This might be the first time you’ve really ever had to think about that question, but it’s one that you should be aware of, and how you answer will make a difference to yourself on a daily basis.
Whenever you tell yourself something really negative, you’re repeating powerful mantras that can influence your self-esteem and how you see yourself in the world.
Unfortunately, it’s generally going to be a skewed view if it’s always bathed in negativity.
This negativity makes it impossible for you to be able to be aware of yourself completely and it blocks you from being open to others.
Because it gives you a distorted view of who you are. And if you suppress your qualities, if your light remains dimmed, how can you or others see what you’re truly made of?
Tip: How To Stop Negative Self Talk
Have a look in the mirror.
What happens?
Do you avert your eyes? Does it feel like you’re looking at a stranger? Is it uncomfortable? Does it feel silly? Does it want to make you cry?
If the answer is yes, it is time for you to get uncomfortable and practice speaking to yourself nicely!
A gentle approach will do, to begin with.
For example, you can try something like these phrases:
‘’I’ve got this.’’
‘’I can do it.’’
‘’I’m doing just fine, I’m doing everything I can and I’m learning.’’
‘’Everything is going to be all right.’’
‘’I’ve been through worse, this is just another lesson.’’
‘’No matter what happens, I will always love you.’’
‘’I’m so proud of that difficult thing I did today. Maybe it didn’t go smoothly but I did my best and that’s enough.’’
Of course, you can choose whatever suits your current situation, update, alternate, add to it, as you need.
When you spend your time saying uplifting things about yourself, you’re going to get a more complete picture of who you are and you’re going to build up your confidence.
This isn’t saying that you should ignore your flaws or avoid dealing with difficult things. It just means that you shouldn’t ignore the good things about yourself just because you have flaws.
Shift your focus. While acknowledging your weaknesses, give yourself credit for your strengths.
This way you will build up a fuller picture of yourself. The bad, the good, the ugly, and the wonderful.
2. Positive Self Talk Gives You More Confidence
Allowing yourself to see yourself completely helps to boost your confidence.
That’s because you are directly acknowledging the things that are good about you instead of focusing on the areas where you feel that you fall short.
Tip: How To Practice Positive Self Talk In Writing
Furthermore, you can actually compile those positives into a physical list. Reflect on each aspect and think about the times in your life where those attributes have helped you to overcome something or solve a problem.
In your notebook, add something on a regular basis. Scour through your memory, reflect on what happened today. Write it down. What did you do well? Even if things didn’t go well, reframe your view of the experience.
For example:
Instead of:
‘’I failed my interview, I was awful, so no wonder I didn’t get the job.’’
Reframe:
‘’Although I didn’t get the job, I did my very best at the interview. There were areas where I could have answered better but it’s only natural to be nervous. I’ll make a note of the questions I didn’t answer well and will rehearse them twice for my next interview. The next great opportunity is around the corner and this interview was just part of the preparation process.’’
In the same fashion, list all the positive things you can think of, reframe them and keep them in mind as you continue practicing positive self-talk.
You’ll probably be amazed at how many ways you’ve been able to get past things using your own natural talents. If you’ve come this far on what you know now, then imagine how well things can go when you’ve continued to learn and improve yourself. Try to see where you will be in the future based on these positive things you’ve discovered.
3. Positive Self Talk Helps You See a Positive Future
Now that you know that you have some great qualities, you can see how they might be able to help you in the future.
Are you a fast learner? Do you solve problems quickly? Are you a great listener?
Certainly, having a better outlook will always make it easier for you to see yourself making accomplishments in the future. As you go through life, meet the objection of your inner critic with confident self-talk. Tell that part of your mind to be quiet. Do whatever you need to do to move past those niggling doubts.
Tip: How To Practice Positive Self Talk With Visual Activities
Another great exercise you can do is to make a vision board. It helps to have visual representations of the things that you want to attain at some point. For instance, a new career, home, or vacation can be a long-term goal that you work towards. Just be sure to write down that you know you can get to those things somewhere along the way.
Previously, I mentioned a vision board in one of my articles in this series.
I absolutely love vision boards and I’d recommend a proper large board to give you enough space to assemble visuals of all that you want to achieve.
But you can start with a notepad, scrapbook, diary, cardboard, or just a piece of paper. Anything that allows you to create and clearly see the storyboard of your desired future.
You may have already created your board and started filling it with things you wish for, but this time, add visuals showing the things that you already possess or have achieved.
Adding things you already have or are good at (referring to your list), to the vision board will make the journey easier because you’ll see that you’ve already begun the journey even before you knew it, and you’ve already had some things under the belt.
This will reinforce the message that you’re a little closer to your goals than you thought.
4. Positive Self Talk Helps Reduce Stress
Positive self-talk is also important because it helps you to keep your stress under control. Stress can be paralyzing, but it doesn’t have to be.
Tip: How To Practice Positive Self Talk With Planning
When you start to feel overwhelmed, pull out a sheet of paper and write down the things you want. Next, put in a few easier goals that you know you can achieve in the short term. Then put all of your energy into crushing those goals. Make sure that you are realistic in the ones that you select.
Getting a few little things done and crossed off your list can do wonders for how you feel about the attainability of your goals. Just know that you have to take it all one day at a time.
When you cross 2 – 3 things off your list, return to some of your bigger goals. You’ll find yourself to be more relaxed and feeling ready to tackle those bigger goals.
At the beginning of the week, make a list of things you want to do to help you feel better or to get closer to your desired results. Then each day, set aside a little time, depending on your circumstances, to go over your list and make a commitment to get 2-3 things done.
These are the tiny steps that don’t seem like much individually but the fact that you have dedicated some time to do something for yourself will enhance the feeling that you are taking action.
And as these tiny actions accumulate, your effort will create momentum that ultimately drives the desired change.
Just being aware that you’re building something for yourself, that you’re squirreling away your nuts, one by one, will give you increased satisfaction.
5. Positive Self Talk Helps You Maintain Control Over Emotions
It’s also important to remember that things won’t always be perfect. There can be all kinds of little snags that can push back your timeline for completing things.
It’s important to stay levelheaded though because when you spin out of control emotionally, things will begin to suffer.
So use a lot of positive self-talk to remind yourself of how resilient you truly are. Find inspiration in the progress that you’ve made to date. The more practice you have learned to control your emotions, the more success you will have. Just be sure to remain patient and kind to yourself, and you will get there.
Self Love Program
Self-Love Week 1: 6 Simple and Affordable Ways To Start Practising Self-Love
Self-Love Week 2: 5 Ways to Build a Positive Relationship With Yourself
Self-Love Week 3: How To Treat Your Body With Kindness And Feel Happier
Self-Love Week 4: How To Have a Great Day Every Day? Wake Up Early To Avoid Panic and Meltdowns!
Self-Love Week 5: Start Living Your Best Life Now: Focus On Your Future, Not The Past
Self-Love Week 6: 5 Benefits of Positive Self-Talk For Life Change
Self-Love Week 7: How To Create a Daily Self-Care Ritual
Self-Love Week 8: How to Set Life Goals for Better Future After 40
Self-Love Week 9: How to Find Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes a Day
This article was written by Zuzana Halliwell. I am not a doctor or health professional and cannot be held liable for the information written here. This article is meant to provide information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The content is based on my own personal experience and on information provided by medical professionals that is available to the public. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Do not use it as an alternative to seeking help from a medical professional.
