Shift Negative Self-talk in 4 Steps

 

As I begin this blog, I think of all the nasty things I’ve said to myself, “You’re not good enough, You’re fat! No one likes you.”  While, I’ll agree healthy self-critism inspires us to move towards our desires, inundating ourselves with in-ternal-trash talking makes us a coconspirator to our emotional and mental demise.  We begin to become what our inner voice suggests.   Eventually, our load becomes too much and our negative self-talk spills into our external life.

The greatest difficulty I experienced while working through my depression was my negative self-image.  In my eyes, “no one loved me and I would be alone forever.”  Each time I encountered rejection, my thoughts would get louder, validating my insecurities.  As time passed, I became angry,  bitter,  difficult to deal with, and eventually alone.

Now, when life presents challenges, the little trash talker in my head likes to make a grand appearance. However, our conversation has changed greatly over the last couple of years. Instead of entertaining negative comments, I empower my thoughts by creating positive alternatives.

Have you ever heard the adage, thoughts are things? When we entertain negative thoughts, we give them power to alter our life. If we believe we’re ugly or fat, we make way for an “ugly” or “fat” person to live inside of us. Often times, these descriptions are not literal but a representation of an emotion.  In these cases we must evaluate the core reason for our feelings.  Here are 4 steps to help you shift negative chatter:

Acknowledge the chatter:  I’ve found the best way to combat negative talk is to acknowledge its presence. As the thoughts come rolling in let them wash down your body like water and escape through your feet.   If negative talk persists, kindly thank it for its concern and affirm that you trust the process. Going through the steps of allowing and releasing, ultimately, prepares you for your healing process.

Let it go: After you’ve allowed the chatter to fill your head, take a deep breath and LET IT GO!  Deep breathing is symbolic to emotional, physical and mental release.  If breathing isn’t enough, get out your pen and pad and write about it. However you choose, the key is to stop adverse thoughts in their tracks, so they don’t perpetuate into negative feelings.

Look for triggers: In most cases, our negative thoughts are triggered by something or someone in our environment.  Discovering how you are triggered will encourage you to partner with your discomfort in new ways.

Show gratitude: The best way to turn negative self-talk into a joyful experience is by being grateful. Showing gratitude enables our mind, body and spirit to accept things as they are and to trust we’re in the right place.  When negative talk ensues, begin your next sentence with, “I am so happy and grateful for…”  The most important part is you feel good about what you are affirming. Feeling blissful will help you forget about the negative and focus on manifesting your desires.

The first step to conquering negative self-talk is realizing you have the power to shift your awareness.  Instead of promoting  negative thoughts, empower yourself to rise above adversities by standing in your bliss.

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Christy Lynn Abram (Wholistic Muse) is a Certified Peer Coach.  Using holistic living as a guide, Christy teaches women struggling with mental/ emotional discomfort how to find their personal power and increase it.  Christy’s 15 year battle with depression and PTSD   is what inspires Christy to help others create healthy minds, bodies, and spirits.

 

Shift Negative Self-talk in 4 Steps