How You Speak to Yourself Matters
Our inner dialogue—how we speak to ourselves…the language we use daily—has the power to impact our overall wellbeing and mindset. The words we choose create habits in our mind and behaviors that can subconsciously lift us up or tear us down. Think about it. If you’re consistently using negative language, even in jest, like “I’m so stupid” or “I’m not smart enough”, these words directly impact self esteem and reinforce feelings of inadequacy. In the same way, using words filled with love and kindness for self, such as, “I’m learning” or “Giving myself love and grace today”, can build and reinforce feelings of worthiness. Let’s step through 3 habits that help transform your negative self-talk.
Becoming aware of negative patterns. Keep a journal—hand-written or voicenotes—to record self-critical thoughts and language. Take notice of how you speak to yourself, how you think about yourself, what you believe about yourself. How you speak to yourself now is likely learned behaviors from family or friends who likely received the same…generationally passed down. You have the power to change the pattern and redirect your own path, as well as others in your life.
Create empowering affirmations. Once you’ve taken note of the negative self talk/behaviors, change the limiting beliefs and the limiting language. For example, replace “I’m not good enough” with “I’m capable of growing and evolving.” Replace “I’m stupid” with “I’m consistently learning”. Change the language; change the narrative. Watch what happens in your facial expressions, your mindset, your inner feelings, your overall wellbeing.
Practice exercises like writing a letter to yourself highlighting your strengths or creating a mantra to repeat daily. Repetition has been scientifically proven to rewire your brain, your thought patterns, and your overall behaviors. Just like negative self-talk has been learned and become a habit, you can shift to positive self-talk. Change your mindset, change your life.
Science has noted that one can create a habit within 21 days of repeating an activity consistently. For some ingrained behaviors this rewiring may take a little longer. Let me know when you notice a shift in mindset and in outcomes.
Channel your inner wildflower. Grow despite your conditions.
In love and light.
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