Post 17 - Is Your Self-Talk Trash?

Well, friends, March was a tough month for me, filled with lots of transitions, emotional ups and downs, and unexpected mobility issues. If you don't know by now, my walks keep me sane, so not being able to move as much has been extremely challenging. I'm not even going to get into the unsettling circumstances of the world we live in today. In the midst of everything, we celebrated a milestone birthday with our son. Although this brought so much joy, I was also reminded that he's now the same age I was when my mother passed away. Another reminder of the incredible force she was in my life and the gratitude I feel to be a witness to my son's journey. I am also grateful to now be on the mend with my mobility issues and in a better headspace about major shifts at work. However, the idea of writing a post about positive affirmations when I knew I was struggling with my own self-talk slowed me down quite a bit. I needed a little time to feel sad and defeated, but one thing I never do is give up. So, with that being said, I'm back and ready to move forward. I'm reclaiming my power, letting go of what no longer serves me, and keeping the lessons that help to move me forward. It's springtime, and I'm here for it!

Words are powerful, and most importantly, the words we say to ourselves matter a great deal. Self-talk can lift us to new heights or bring us down to new lows. If you constantly tell yourself that you can't do something, then guess what? You won't do it. What do you think the self-talk is or was like for Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Steph Curry? I'm pretty sure that when they were breaking records, they weren't spending a lot of hours focused on negativity, defeat, and doubt. They had to dream it was possible, work hard, feed their brains with the right words, and, should I say it... "just do it." Sure, we all have down days and moments, but we cannot afford to allow negative self-talk to consume us. There's an old saying that goes, "you are what you eat." Well, I would say that's true for thoughts too. You can become what you think. Our words can be the fuel that our brains need to either move us forward or limit us. We must speak life into everything we'd like to accomplish. This only happens when our self-talk rises above defeatist words to life-giving, dream-manifesting words that hold power.

Positive affirmations are positive statements that, when said frequently, can help improve well-being. There are books, cards, and multiple lists on the internet filled with these statements that can literally help to rewire your brain. I won't get into the science of it because that's not my area, but there's a lot of research on how positive affirmations can help people with anxiety, depression, and self-worth issues. Positive affirmations can also improve focus and aid in the achievement of goals, to name a few more benefits. Try saying a few positive affirmations out loud before you leave the house in the morning. If you want to add to the challenge, say them when you're looking in the mirror at yourself. Say statements like the following: "I am enough. I am kind. I am lovable. I can achieve success. I am intelligent." You fill in the blanks and try saying these statements consistently for a consecutive number of days. Only you can answer the question of how you feel when you start your day off with these positive affirmations. I know that it has made a difference in my life. I have a book of affirmations with several pages that focus on different topics, such as affirmations for self-worth, abundance, love, stress relief, body positivity, and success and wealth. Sometimes I focus on one topic; other times, I may say a few statements from multiple topics.

A practice with positive affirmations or self-talk, just like some of my recent topics on meditation, vision boards, and gratitude, doesn't have to cost anything, and you can incorporate it as much or as little as works for you in your life. This is just another tool to consider, and it doesn't take long to experience the benefits. There's nothing more powerful than hearing our own voice tell us that we are worthy and capable. Be warned: you may find yourself smiling more and trying a few new things you hadn't thought of.

For many years, I doubted myself, which delayed my pursuit of the life I truly desired. My self-talk was trash, constantly telling me I was either too much of this or not enough of that, which wasn't helpful. It wasn't until I began to understand the power of my words and started shifting them through journaling and speaking positively to myself that I noticed a change in my attitude. This led to increased confidence, self-belief, and resilience. Now, I try more things than ever before. Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don't, but when they don't, I see it as life's way of course correction rather than a reflection of who I am, which I've come to believe is someone quite extraordinary.

Wishing you love, light, and a life filled with Authenticit-E.

Estella