Do you find yourself engaging in negative self-talk? Thoughts like “I’m not good enough,” “I can never do anything right,” or “I just know I won’t be able to…” can be harmful and diminish our self-esteem and overall well-being. Yet they may be so familiar and automatic, like a record that plays in our minds on repeat, that we barely even notice them.
However, it is possible to reprogram negative self-talk and cultivate a more balanced mindset. The first step in shifting this tendency is to recognize it for what it is. Just because we think something doesn’t make it real or true. Our thoughts are not facts, and they don’t always reflect reality. Often, negative self-talk is a product of past experiences, limiting beliefs, or comparing ourselves to others.
If we can become aware of these thoughts and recognize them as such, we can start to create more space around them. One way to become more aware of our thinking is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves bringing nonjudgmental attention to the present moment. By tuning into our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, we can start to notice patterns in our thinking. This awareness can be the first step in shifting our relationship to negative thought patterns.
