Encouraging Yourself Through Self-Talk

When it comes to getting through difficult tasks or working through unpleasant emotions, we can count on the inner voice, our self-talk, to guide us. Unfortunately, our voice tends to be a critical, self-depreciating one that interferes with us being our best self. It can present the truth like, “You’ve wasted hours by being indecisive.” or “What’s your problem – get over it!”
These words and phrases we say to ourselves are just a peek into the deeper, more complicated world of our core self.

If you are beginning to notice that your tone is gruff. Your words are negative. You may be putting yourself at a disadvantage and are likely to be less productive and less satisfied, overall. These internal messages that we carry along with us at all times are the driving force behind why we do what we do.

In therapy, I explain to most of my clients that thoughts influence our feelings, which impacts our behaviors. If there is a negative thought process, in general, it is likely that you will experience negative emotions that will directly affect what you do or what you don’t do. Sometimes, it’s what we’re NOT doing that creates the biggest impact.

Perhaps you’ve been wanting to become more active, but your inner voice convinces you to stay curled up on the couch day in and day out. Maybe your kids have been begging you to spend time with them but you never seem to catch a break on the endless work e-mails and duties of the house. Our self-talk, what we say to ourselves, can be the biggest motivator while also being our worst enemy. It depends.

What is your inner voice telling you? Are you encouraging yourself? Have you been a friend to yourself, showing kindness and compassion? The internal effort to support ourselves can be difficult, yet it is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
Others around you will also thank you.