Positive Self-Talk

Today, Valentine’s Day, reminded me of the importance of practicing self-love. Too often, we focus our appreciation and affections on others, and forget to give the same care and love to ourselves. While there are many ways to practice self-love, my favorite way is the use of self-affirmations or positive self-talk.

What is positive self-talk? It’s speaking to yourself with positive content to promote your psychological state and to regulate your thoughts. Simply, it what positive things you tell yourself about yourself to feel good. It’s showing yourself some compassion.

Why do it? Well, research shows us that positive self-talk can have significant impacts on our mental well-being. It can help to reduce stress, boost confidence and resilience, and help with anxiety and depression.

How to do it: Come up with a list of situations where you find yourself more likely to think negatively of yourself. Create positive affirmations that counter these negative thoughts and remind you of the positive aspects of yourself, your abilities, and your accomplishments, big and small. Practice, practice, practice. The effects of positive self-talk only work if you practice them often and allow yourself to believe them. It may feel awkward or phony at first, but every novel experience takes getting used to.

Positive Self-Talk and/or Affirmations Examples:

1. I am worthy of love.

2. I am capable and strong, I can get through this.

3. I accept me, all of me, for who I am and where I am right now.

4. I am a work in progress, I can learn and grow as a person.