How Do You Talk To Yourself?
You have two options: you can be negative or positive. Make sure it’s the latter!
The world is neither what it used to be, nor what you want it to be. Not a single person can predict what will happen next and the future is unforeseeable. As you know, life goes on regardless of what is happening in the world and worrying or fretting about it won’t help one bit. If anything, it will only be of detriment to your health both mentally and physically.
Knowing that external events are far beyond our control, we need to make sure that we don’t miss what is happening right in front of us. Don’t get me wrong — we can still prepare for the future to the best of our ability and attempt to improve our current situation for what lies ahead — but it is the worrying that we should aim to eliminate from our lives.
What can we control?
There is one important thing that is within our control — the space within our minds. We must develop the ability to look after our mental well-being, either through physical practices or in being mindful of our outlook. Eat and sleep well, exercise and meditate, think positive thoughts and refrain from absorbing negativity from your surrounding environment! What we see on the news can especially affect our mental state. We already know what is happening in the world! Why must we constantly remind ourselves? When there’s garbage in the mind, throw it out! Only allow space in your mind for good things. Ultimately, it is you who decides whether the thoughts you have are worth letting in or require shutting out. Never forget that you are the gatekeeper to your own mind. And more than this, realise that in looking after yourself, you will gain the ability to help others.
Positive vs Negative self-talk
We talk to ourselves ALL THE TIME without even realising it. These voices are silent, often asking ourselves, “Should I do this or that?”. But do we pay attention to the way in which we do so?
Does your inner voice tend to encourage or discourage you in times of difficulty? Some of you may have lost jobs during these difficult times. Does your inner voice cry “This pandemic has caused me to lose my job. What can I possibly do now?”
Or does that voice appeal to your rationality and say;
“This year has been difficult for most people, including myself. I am not alone in losing my job, but my job is not me, nor is it my life! Thank God I am still alive, with a roof over my head and family/friends who I love. I will look for a job and if I keep looking I will find one. I have experience and skills and it’s only a matter of time before I am back on track.”
As you can see, there is a noticeable difference between the two. The first voice does not encourage or offer hope — it merely leads to a dead-end. The second will lift you up and give you strength. It recognises that there is so much to be grateful for and so much that will enable you to move forward. Accept that you can remain resilient and become solution oriented. When you catch the voice in your head speaking to you, identify if it is preaching negativity, or bringing positivity into your life. Our own thoughts and words are what make or break us. If you find yourself constantly putting yourself down, then learn to ignore that inner voice and conjure up some positive self-talk. Remember that your success is built on how you communicate with yourself. No achievement, big or small, has ever been made by someone dwells in a negative mindset. The world we live in now is out of our control, and there is nothing we can do but nurture, build and empower ourselves through positive thinking. We must recognise what is within our control and what isn’t to truly find happiness.
