Self-Talk
Many of us have an internal monologue, or self-talk, which includes both positive and negative thoughts. Self-talk can help you encourage yourself, face fears, explore emotions, or understand how you feel about something. For example, when you’re tired but want to finish one more task, positive self-talk can motivate you. It’s also useful when doing things you may not enjoy, like visiting the dentist.
However, not all self-talk is positive. Sometimes, you may be hard on yourself, using self-talk to criticize rather than uplift. This kind of negative inner monologue can discourage you from reaching your goals.
For example, you might say things to yourself like, “I can’t do it,” or “I make too many mistakes.” These are examples of negative self-talk.
Shifting your self-talk from negative to positive thoughts may help you be more successful in overcoming fears and exploring your emotions.
