How To Change Your Inner Self-Talk
What is your inner self-talk like? What do you tell yourself? Do you know that your confession is your possession?
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he!” (Proverbs 23:7)
There is normally that inner ongoing monologue that we all have. Right? Whether you are aware of it or not.
Where Do Your Thoughts Come from?
How do we arrive at our inner self-talk? Be it positive or negative self-talk stems from somewhere.
You come from a family or a community. You easily pick up habits from your guardians, friends, teachers, or parents. They also came from families and communities. With values and disciplines that were passed down consciously or unconsciously. Thus if you grew up in a disciplined, noble, and self-aware family. You tend to become disciplined, of noble character, and confident. The opposite is also true.
So largely your upbringing affects your inner self-talk. However, this doesn’t mean if you came from a community that impacted you negatively that you stop there. No, you must aim to better yourself because your attitude determines your altitude.
Also, note that positive self-talk isn’t ignoring the unpleasant aspects of life. Instead, it’s turning the narrative so that you approach issues in a more positive and productive way.
Often at times, negative inner self-talk causes a dip in our mood. and you tend to make emotional decisions that affect us negatively.
So, how can we change our inner self-talk given that life will always have its ups and downs?
7 Ways to Change Your Inner Self-talk
Introduce positive self-talk
Whenever you make a mistake, begin by acknowledging that you have errored. Next re-affirm yourself that it was a mistake and that it doesn’t define the rest of your life. Pick up yourself and ensure you don’t repeat the mistake. A good example, if you grew up and whenever you made a mistake you were reprimanded and called a loser or dimwit. so it’s easy to curl up and call yourself a useless dimwit. But with a positive mindset, you simply acknowledge the mistake.
Change your Circle
You are the average of the 5 people you mostly interact with. Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are. At times you need to change your circle if they aren’t serving you right. I know it’s hard but if you want to go further then you need people who see the glass as half full as opposed to half empty. Hang out with people whose vision isn’t audacious you’ll also conform to small goals.
Begin afresh, Every Day
To avoid being caught up in your past. Begin each day on a new leaf. Avoid dragging yesterday’s troubles into your new day. It is possible to allow its day trouble to be addressed presently. Remember there are things you cannot change, instead focus on what you can change.
The serenity prayer can help you stay focused on the present.
“God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Audit Your thoughts
Many don’t stop to audit what occupies their minds 24/7. Yet we constantly repeat 90% of our thoughts daily. If you can successfully audit what you meditate on day and night then you will know the changes you need to make. A good example is if after an audit you figure out that you spend your time in regret and wishful thinking. Then you need to know how to replace those thoughts with ones that can help you become a better person. You are the sum total of your thoughts. Change your thoughts, change your life.
Practice Positive affirmation
I am statements are powerful. You think with your conscious mind. Then, your habitual thoughts sink into your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind in turn creates your reality according to your thoughts. If you project fear and anxiety you tend to attract such experiences. To change your inner self-talk. Begin by affirming yourself and soon positive outcomes will manifest.
Examples of Positive I am affirmations
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- I am attracting fun to my life.
- I am fearfully and wonderfully made
- I am patient, caring and understanding.
- I am blessed with peace of mind and prosperity.
- I am living in an abundance of great wealth. Life is so good.
- I am open to loving and supporting others.
- I am successful in everything I do.
- I am active and attractive.
- I am worthy of love.
- I am flourishing.
Get Help
At times we are so caught up in the past and even with the best intentions, we are unable to change our inner self-talk. This doesn’t mean that you live in defeat and in your cycles through life. Look for a professional counselor who can walk with you to unravel any underlying issues. These issues would hinder you from looking at life with optimism. The ability to ask for help is a strength. Because, unless you speak out you will suffer with issues that can be easily addressed or solved. Contrary to what many say seeking help is a strength and not a weakness.
Seeking help can help you change your inner self-talk.
Read your Bible and Pray
Prayer is acknowledging the dependency on God. Higher power at work in the universe. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2nd Timothy 3:16
When you cultivate praying and reading of the word of God. You will renew your thinking pattern and be transformed to become abundant in all areas of your life.
Praying and reading the word of God can help change your inner self-talk.