LET’S GROW

There are many obstacles on the path to being an empowered person.

The biggest obstacle I see for a lot of people (myself included) is negative self-talk. When you say it out loud, it makes very little sense. If I want to be a successful human, why would I stand in my own way?

There are several possible causes for negative self-talk. 

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Low self esteem

Those three causes seem to be the main culprits. If you are experiencing depression, make sure you consult with a mental health professional.

When I am in that mindset, my thoughts tend to spiral and it can be hard to get out of.

In my mind, it looks like this:

By the end of the cycle there is no one left to challenge that mindset. Regardless of how true or false, your mind affirms it as true. Then, the cycle continues. 

How do we break this cycle?

The first thing I do is name that negative voice in my head. Her name is Regina and she is very mean.

As silly as this might sound, it separates you from that voice. Now that it’s not you, you can face that personified version of that voice.

Next, do an interview with that voice in your mind. Questions take you from a place of emotion to a place of logic.

Here are some questions to ask

• Are these thoughts actually true?

• Do I have a trusted friend I can bounce this thought off of?

• Can I look for shades of gray?

• What is something I can be proud of today?

• What advice would I give someone I love if they expressed these same thoughts?

Finally, actually accept the help that people offer. You don’t have to listen to what they say as gospel, but at least give it a listen. When I have done this, it allows the person I previously projected upon to speak their own truth. Most of the time that projection is exposed as untrue. Then you ask…”If this is untrue, what else is untrue?” That negative mindset falls like a house of cards.

The whole purpose of this exercise is to stop that spiral before it takes hold. To allow you the best chance of success. If you scroll down to the   “Let’s share” section, there are a series of reframes for negative thoughts that will be helpful. I’ll end on one final thing that you can ask yourself to help snap you out of a spiral.

Thanks for listening friends!