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Quote of the day:

“On my own I will just create and if it works, it works. And if it doesn’t, I’ll just create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Self-Talk

What is it?

Self-talk refers to the internal dialogue that we have with ourselves. It involves the conscious or unconscious process of talking to ourselves about our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Self-talk can be positive or negative, and directly affects and influences our emotions, beliefs, and actions.

Self-talk happens in everyone's mind, and you may or may not realize you are doing it. For example, negative self-talk can contribute to feelings of low self-worth, increased self-doubt, and reinforcing negative beliefs. Negative self-talk could be something like "I'll never be able to do this. It's too hard for me." Conversely, positive self-talk can boost self-esteem, increase motivation, and help you cope with stress or anxiety. Positive self-talk could be something like “This is challenging, but I can figure it out. I'll break it down and take it one step at a time."

How we talk to ourselves is so important because our inner dialogue will directly mirror how others treat us. Often times we are focusing on showing others compassion that we leave ourselves out and forget to show ourselves compassion too.

Why does it matter?

Our thoughts have the power to shape our reality, so it's crucial to pay attention to the way we talk to ourselves. Our self-talk can either empower us or hold us back.

Negative self-talk, like believing we're not good enough, can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where we experience more of those negative outcomes. On the other hand, practicing positive self-talk, like reminding ourselves of our strengths, progress, and accomplishments, can boost our confidence and motivation.

Our self-talk can also affect our relationships with others. If we have negative self-talk, we may project those negative beliefs onto others or assume that they think poorly of us. On the other hand, if we have positive self-talk, we're more likely to project confidence and attract positive relationships.

With practice and awareness, you can learn to cultivate a more positive inner dialogue and flip the internal negative script.

How to connect inwards?

You can add more positive self-talk into your life and train your mind to switch your thoughts when in a negative cycle:

• Start by paying attention to your self-talk. Notice the messages that you're telling yourself throughout the day. When you catch yourself engaging in negative self-talk, try to reframe your thoughts in a more positive and constructive way. For example, if you find yourself thinking  "I'm so stupid. I can't believe I made that mistake." try reframing it as "Everyone makes mistakes. I can learn from this experience and do better next time."

• Practice gratitude. Focusing on the positive aspects of your life can help shift your mindset from negative to positive. Try taking a few minutes each day to reflect on what you're grateful for. The Spring Forward Planner has 3 lines for gratitude daily to help you train your mind to focus on the good.

• Surround yourself with positivity. Spend time with people who uplift and inspire you. Read books and watch videos that promote positivity and personal growth.

• Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. Acknowledge your mistakes and shortcomings, but don't beat yourself up over them.

Self-love ties into self-talk because the way we talk to ourselves can affect how we feel about ourselves. When we engage in positive self-talk, we reinforce a positive self-image and strengthen our sense of self-worth. On the flip side, negative self-talk can reinforce negative beliefs about ourselves and contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and self-doubt.

Practicing self-love involves treating ourselves with kindness, compassion, and respect. This can include engaging in positive self-talk, taking care of our physical and emotional needs, and setting boundaries.

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