Dancing Elephants Press Book Project

How To Turn The Negative Voice In Your Head Into Positive Self-Talk

Dancing Elephants Press Positivity Prompt — Editor Group 1

I would ask you how often you hear that tiny voice inside your head, playing the role of your inner critic, always being “helpful” by throwing in doubts about your ability…but I think I already know the answer to that.

Often, right? And especially when you need it the least! When all you actually want is encouragement, that squeaky little voice is right there, doing the opposite.

Negative self-talk can be a literal pain in the rear, holding you back from achieving what you want. But you know what? You can show that negativity in your head who is boss by tricking it into becoming a positive force with positive self-talk.

Here are the ten simple strategies I keep in my confidence-building toolkit. They turn the negative stuff in my head into positives. I believe they will work for you, too!

1. Use affirmations

There was a time I used to scoff at my Mom’s advice of using positive affirmations. I used to tell her that’s not being realistic — that’s just escapism.

But you know what? She gave me a fabulous example. She asked me: when you prepare for an exam, what do you tell yourself? That you’ll do well and you’ll aim for good grades? OR…that you’re just studying and who cares how that goes?

That was tough to argue with. In the same way, we squash that inner doubtful voice with positive statements in the present tense. I start my day setting intentions. I also say nice things to myself before I sleep to get a good night’s rest.

Have you noticed how parents coo their kids to sleep and tell them all kinds of sweet things? Affirmations work the same way.

When we repeat these positive statements or affirmations to ourselves throughout the day, we reinforce the positive message and it will become second nature.

2. Be aware

This one is important. Don’t ignore that voice in your head. It won’t go away. Listen to it intently, listen to what it says. If it is constantly negative, you have to take action to transform it into a supportive, positive voice. When it says positive things, great! If it says negative things, turn it into a positive!

3. Meditate

Meditation is a great way to have better control over your thoughts and emotions. When you meditate regularly, you learn how to listen mindfully and soothe or quieten that inner voice. It helps you stay calm and at peace, stress less, and reduce anxiety.

When you are in control of your mind, you have the ability to silence that negative voice when it begins to do its number on you. You can gently steer it out of your head, replacing it with positive affirmations.

4. Practice gratitude

If there is one thing that can change your perspective in life, it is gratitude. Make it a habit to set aside two minutes every day to think of three things you are grateful for.

You’ve probably noticed how easy it is to get caught up with all that went wrong with your day and allow that negative voice to rant in your head.

What if you tried, instead, to focus on the positive and show gratitude for what you have? In fact, write down your gratitude list in a journal — and every time you feel low, look at your lists for a boost to your spirits. They serve as a sweet reminder of all that’s good when you cannot think straight.

5. Reframe

When you become swamped with catastrophic thinking, especially when you are anxious or stressed, it is natural to think of all the things that can go wrong with your life.

The next time you feel this happening, try stepping away and looking at the situation from the outside. Be objective. Be non-judgmental and try to see it from a different point of view.

6. Distance Yourself

Put some distance between you and your emotions. Think in the third person. So, instead of “I am mad at myself because….”, try “Vidya is mad at herself, why?” Creating that psychological distance helps you regulate your emotions and feel more comfortable handling your thoughts.

7. Say, “I don’t”

Use the phrase “I don’t” instead of “I can’t”. When you say “I don’t” you take responsibility for the way you feel. You own your thoughts.

8. Get professional help

When you can’t manage your thoughts and it interferes with your routine and well-being, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. It doesn’t make you any less of a person. In fact, you’ll be investing in self-care. You’ll be able to access effective tools to change your subconscious mind and get rid of blocks, change your language and thought patterns, and create new positive habits and behavior. At the very least, begin by talking to someone you trust.

9. Watch your body language

Did you know that changing your body language can help you change your outlook? It can boost your sense of positivity and self-confidence.

Try this: stand up or sit up straight with your shoulders back. Then hold your head high and smile. Feel your self-confidence grow. Just like Superwoman’s.

10. Use Oracle Cards

This is a suggestion by a close friend of mine and it truly helps. Oracle Cards are a really useful tool to help you connect with your subconscious and also to create change in your life. These cards come with positive inspirational images, affirmations, and ideas about how you can create change. Each morning, pick a card to guide you through the day, helping you create positive change. If you’d rather not use the cards yourself, you can even get a reading from a professional.

Bonus tip: To practice positive self-talk, try doing random acts of kindness towards others. When you do something for someone, it fills you with happiness.

Inner peace can be yours. Practicing the tips above can get you started right away!

Additional reading:

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

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