What is self-talk?
Self-talk is an internal dialogue that we have with ourselves, and it can have a significant impact on our lives. Our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes are shaped by this ongoing conversation, and it can either empower us or hold us back. Here’s a closer look at self-talk and how it affects our lives.
How does it affect our lives?
Positive self-talk can increase self-esteem and boost confidence. When we talk to ourselves in a positive manner, we are more likely to feel good about ourselves and our abilities. This type of self-talk can also help us to overcome fear, anxiety, and stress. For example, if you’re about to give a presentation, you might tell yourself, “I am well-prepared, and I will do my best.” This type of positive self-talk can help to calm your nerves and increase your confidence.
On the other hand, negative self-talk can be damaging to our self-esteem and mental health. Negative self-talk can be critical, judgmental, or full of self-doubt. For example, if you make a mistake, you might tell yourself, “I’m so stupid. I can never do anything right.” This type of negative self-talk can be self-defeating and lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
How to change the way you talk to yourself
So as you see, the way we talk to ourselves has a powerful impact on our lives. By being aware of our thoughts and making an effort to change negative self-talk, we can improve our self-esteem, boost our confidence, enhance our mental health and generally change our lives for the better.
Here are a few tips for getting started and improving self-talk:
- Pay attention to your thoughts: The first step in changing your self-talk is to become aware of what you’re saying to yourself. Take some time each day to reflect on your thoughts and write down what you’re saying to yourself.
- Challenge negative self-talk: When you catch yourself engaging in negative self-talk, challenge it. Ask yourself if it’s true, and if not, replace it with a more positive thought.
- Practice gratitude: Focus on the things you’re grateful for, and tell yourself positive things about yourself and your life.
- Surround yourself with positive people: The people we surround ourselves with can have a big impact on our self-talk. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and motivate you.
- Start each day with a couple of positive affirmations such as, “I am happy”, “I am healthy”, “I am having a great day”.
And don’t forget…
Your mind believes everything you tell it, therefore, by speaking to yourself in a positive and healthy way, you can actually change your life for the better.
Further reading: What are affirmations and how do they work?
