Negative self talk

[melhil]

Does anyone have any strategies to lessen negative self talk? I’m constantly putting myself down and it feels like it’s ramped up lately.

Thank you for any tips.

[hypercat54]

Yes I have a suggestion that works for me. When I say to myself 'You are really lazy getting out of bed late' I add 'Well done for getting out of bed at all when feeling so lousy'. This is hard at first but keep doing it and eventually the positive thoughts come automatically. This has improved my life no end and it will yours too. x

[Stilltrying_]

Google "compassion focussed therapy". Here's an explanation of it

vimeo.com/285096866

[argh52]

For a long time, I made myself apologize to myself. I would say something nasty to myself in my head and then I would immediately think to myself that I was sorry for saying it and it wasn't true. It worked great. That was years ago. I think I need to start doing it again..

[Snowyowl23]

Hi - I have struggled with a similar problem so I understand how you feel. Something that has helped me lately is to give that ‘inner critic’ a name and even a face of sorts. And every time I see it pop up in my head and it tries to tell me bad things about myself I tell it ‘you’re not welcome here. Go away.’ It seems to help since it makes it more tangible in a way. I hope you find something that works for you! 🦉

[Lost55]

Hi Two tricks I use are …

1 - Imagine an electric light switch, every time you get a negative thought. Then when the bad thoughts come, just flick the switch off and if your like me, your mind will turn that subject off.

2 - Every time you think to yourself that you are "worried" by something, force your mind to change the word worried, to "excited". By this your mind starts thinking more positively.

I hope this helps.

[Hidden]

A method I've recently come across seems to be helping, its a cognitive behavioral therapy method called track and unpack. It aims to give you some clarity to the feelings you're having which should allow you to get through the mood you're experiencing. First, just ask how you are feeling and give it a one word label (like anxious). Second, go a little deeper and use some descriptive words to expand on the feeling (like the anxiety makes my heart beat faster). Third, ask yourself why am I feeling this way? This part may not come to you right away but at least it gets you thinking about the cause and not just dwelling on the negative thoughts/feelings. Hope this is useful for you.