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Hello, friends.
A couple of months ago I posted here about wanting to pursue positive thinking more. After reading Katie Grace's post on Burning Youth, I'm convinced that bringing positivity and joy and encouragement into others' lives (and our own) is something we all really want to accomplish in 2017.
And let's face it, folks, the world needs it.
We need it.
And let's face it, folks, the world needs it.
We need it.
But how do we actually do this?
How do we become positive people, anyway?
I'm convinced that positive thinking and positive actions all begin with our self-talk. Self-talk is what I consider to be the narrator in your head. It's what you tell yourself in reaction to the day's events and life in general.
Here's an example:
versus
These shoddy graphics I made in Microsoft Paint are the result of my resolution to try and actually produce visual content for this blog, aren't you proud #sendhelp #oracamera
Same situation, different reactions. We can't always control the circumstances in our lives, but we CAN control how we react. So, if you struggle with negativity like I do then yo, IT'S TIME TO CHANGE UP YOUR SELF-TALK, SISTER
IN WHICH ERIN TELLS YOU HOW TO
"CHANGE UP YOUR SELF-TALK, SISTER"
"CHANGE UP YOUR SELF-TALK, SISTER"
About a week ago, my father encouraged me to check out this video.
Yes, it's a bit of a dinosaur, and yes, the intro music reminds me of Space Mountain, but I DIGRESS
Yes, it's a bit of a dinosaur, and yes, the intro music reminds me of Space Mountain, but I DIGRESS
True story.
The main point of the video is that we can change our negative self-talk by repeating positive statements to ourselves about the things we dislike or have trouble with. The speaker encourages making a list of these positive statements and adding to it overtime, which encourages gratitude and is basically #thebest.
It might feel odd at first to repeat positive statements to yourself such as "I love my figure" or "I love my talents and abilities," but if you are struggling with body image or comparison, you are already repeating something to yourself, and it's negative self-talk.
I'm not saying positive self-talk is some magical incantation that will make everything ok, but it does create a habit or pattern of positive thinking.
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You can also do this with Scripture. For example, if you struggle with speaking encouragements, try memorizing and meditating on a verse, such as Ephesians 4:29, that directly addresses this.
Positive self-talk = positive thoughts overall =
positive actions = changing the darn world
positive actions = changing the darn world
Maybe this isn't groundbreaking to everyone, but to me, it was much needed. I wrote out a list of positive statements to combat the negative ones and repeated them to myself when I woke up this morning, and you know what? It was a pretty good day.
As my friend Manasseh says:
It's all about perspective.
It's all about perspective.
+ In other news, I just saw La La Land and it was EVERYTHING. I may or may not have openly wept multiple times in the theater last night. Can't complain, folks, life is good. What is one thing you are grateful for today?
For more positive vibes, check out Olivia's rad resolutions here.
I pride myself on being a very positive person. I have overcome my own self-esteem issues, body image issues, and other negative thoughts that I would have daily. That's awesome, right? BUT: There is one area of my life that brings all of that positivity crashing down. My academics. If I can't accomplish something (mainly math. Math is basically my only problem), I barage myself with words like "idiot" and "dumb" and "not enough". Since I've overcome those other areas of my life, I haven't really thought about how harmful that one poisonous area is. This post really brought to my attention again how much I need to change that. <3
ReplyDeleteI love that you have been able to achieve such awesome positivity in most areas of your life. That is WONDERFUL! (I envy you, girl!) I pray that you would be just as joyful in your academic life, especially math (which I've had my fair share of trouble with - totally not my forte!). Thanks for your awesome comment! I aspire to have your positive mindset! :)
DeleteA. Men. People like to look down on positive thinking or get into really self-deprecating talk and I guess...I guess that's just sad to me now. I keep remembering something my counselor told me one of the first times we talked -- attitude matters. You don't have to believe it, but what you tell yourself matters, and if you say something enough times...you're going to start to believe it.
ReplyDelete- Aimee (To the Barricade!)
YES, that's it in a nutshell: attitude matters. It's all about how we approach life and see it! I totally agree that repetitive thoughts, even if they're lies, can form into solid beliefs in our minds. This can be either destructive or beautiful. Thanks so much for commenting! :-)
DeleteOh, I agree wholeheartedly! I'm not sure if I just need this message or what but this is the third post on this theme I've seen today. And your graphics aren't shoddy, they're actually really cute and minimal. So they get a thumbs up from moi ;) And yes, La La Land. It was truly beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I love when God is super repetitive about a particular subject - sometimes a certain topic will pop up everywhere, it's crazy. :) Haha I'm glad you like my graphics! They are definitely a work in progress, LOL. Oh man, I'm still reeling from La La Land...I haven't seen such a wonderful film in forever. Thanks for your sweet comment!
DeleteI'm so late to this post (what else is new, right?) but wow. Killed it yet again. Everything you write - esp about self-talk, body image, I just want to stand up and say amen or something. Seriously. You're gold.
ReplyDelete(and thanks for linking back to my blog! you're the sweetest and it made me so happy:)
Girl, I feel you - I am always SO behind in my blog reading and commenting. It takes me FOREVER, no lie! haha I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Praise God that He is writing through me, because this is something I'm still struggling to apply each day. And no prob! I love your blog! :)
Deleteawwwwh thanks for mentioning my post! that made me so happy. <3 <3 <3
ReplyDelete(also your mouse/cursor/thing on the blog is the best. ROCK ON. :P)
but really, positive thinking is so important and something I'm trying harder for this year. I get down and insecure on myself a lot, so I'm doing my best to be confident in the things I do. :D
katie grace
a writer's faith
Not a problem, chica!! :) I love to read your writing!
DeleteAnd THANK YOU. It still makes me smile. It's the little things, yo.
I am cheering you on in the journey! You got this! :)
At first I must admit, I thought that this would be a "just think good thoughts" kind of post. I don't dig that reasoning too much, because it doesn't address the heart of the matter. It's one thing to say "think happy thoughts" and an entirely different monster to actually do that.
ReplyDeleteBut you made me /think/ about my thoughts in a way that was more than just "think happy thoughts."
I'm always thinking something, aren't I? I guess so. And you know what, I'm /sick and tired/ of thinking "you're fat." "You're lame." "You're not as good." What about "God made you," "He is with you," and "He is the best and has called you by name."
At Passion, Francis Chan said that we should stop letting our thoughts about ourselves define us. We should let God's thoughts about us define us. That really revolutionized how I thought about my thoughts and struggles.
Great post, Erin!
Oh, I feel you! Like, HOW do we think happy thoughts? It's always the "how" of things that get me, but I'm learning! :)
DeleteThank you for being so vulnerable and honest about your thought life! I have the same struggle, especially as someone with a particularly anxious/antsy mind. And you make a really great point, because we're always thinking about SOMETHING. So why not make it a great thought? I have those same negative thoughts, but I'm learning to see them not as thoughts but as lies. Thinking something doesn't make it true. What is true is the word, and that's what we've got to start feeding on.
That is an amazing insight! Francis is always on point. That is something I've been learning about lately, too: what does God say about me? I have to get to that point where what HE says matters more than what I think.
Thank you! I loved this comment! Really inspired me!
This is a neat discussion. I'm really bad at positive thinking and I feel vain if I repeat phrases. Doing this would definitely be a change of mindset. XD I'm grateful for Stranger Things. I'm watching it for the third time haha.
ReplyDeletestoritorigrace.blogspot.com
I totally understand! It can feel weird to repeat things to yourself, positive or not. That's why I like using verses too, because it's God's words instead of my own. And that's awesome! I've heard Stranger Things is really cool. I need to watch it because I haven't seen it yet!
DeleteOkay, so I have never been one of this people who goes in for all this "be happy"/yoga/" you can change stuff if you belieeeeevvve" stuff... But something about this post really spoke to me.
ReplyDeleteI negative self-talk aaaalll the time. I guess I feel likje I'm bracing myself for the worst or... trying not to be stuck up??? Either way, I justify it. Your post kind of made me see why I need to quit it? It's not helping. And positive thinking isn't weird or mystical or voodoo stuff.
So thanks for this post, Erin.
Your comment made me smile so much. I'm so glad you got something from this! Negative self-talk is something I'm reallllly still struggling with, but it can be changed. Thanks for commenting, that meant a lot. :)
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