I have been reading up a bit on self confidence as I have had a rather difficult time at work thats left my tank empty and I came across this... I am going to try this and I will report back!!! try it too, lets see if it works....
When you are running, your mind will start to say, “This is too hard. I want to stop and go and watch TV / drink wine /other.”
This is negative self-talk, and there is a trick that can change everything .... imagine that a negative thought was a bug, be vigilantly be on the lookout for these bugs. When you catch one, stomp on it (mentally of course) and squash it. Kill it dead. Then replace it with a positive one. (“C’mon, I can do this! Only one mile left!”).
try it!!
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ju-ju-
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It will get better now I've just been left a bit empty, some bad stuff happened too but that's not for this forum.... Thankyou so much, I am focussing on my running and this wonderful forum
Sorry to hear that, have another hug. Lovely picture! Running is great therapy. (I must remind myself of that when I regain my pin # and rejoin the nhs later this year!!).
Thanks Madge50 - not totally a step I want to take either but it's a very pragmatic decision! I didn't get a letter - but I know people who did - maybe I'd already applied at the point. I'm a mental health nurse so not so much lifting and handling! And, yes, I think the running'll come in useful as a stress management strategy...
Yep. Exciting and terrifying in equal measures! And who knew the university enrolment process would be so - needlessly - complicated?! As mentioned above it is a pragmatic decision but a couple of friends (both nurses) have commented that I seem more relaxed since I made it... the running helps!
Hope your stuff resolves, it's awful to fee like that at work.
There was an interesting bit in the Jan issue of Women's Running about the importance of mindset and confidence, with some tips on turning it around when needed...
Hard times ju-ju, that's not nice, hang in there lovely lady....🤗, I'm all for turning negatives on their heads.....splatting them good and proper.....🥊
I don't need much encouragement to think of mentally squishing anything over the jolly Christmas festivities JuJu. Do I have to imagine it to be a bug? I can think of one or two more human like forms who would serve the same purpose.
If I get a neg thought starting to come through I say to myself, I'm fine! All good here! or say, I'll stop up ahead, then when I get up ahead I carry on and say, I lied! 😁
I haven't tried the squashing yet,but it sounds a good plan!
I do a technique where I 'flick' those thoughts off my shoulder and tell myself I am in charge of my run, no one else, just me! Then I set myself to carry on for another tune, or to a specific place, but then set the next milestone without actually stopping. Quite often something catches your thoughts anyway and before you know it you have covered your distance.
Happy running everyone.
Ps JuJu, try to remember it's only work, there are things in life much more worth your emotional energy xxxxxx
I got it from my son, he uses it in his yoga teaching, I actually do 'flick' them away, it brings a sense of power and can be used for any element in life 😀
That's a great photo and a great idea! Sending you big hugs and knowing that you can regain your self confidence. Go squish those negative thoughts JuJu, and replace them with wonderful positive ones! 🤗😊💪🏻
Have you read the book The Chimp Paradox? It's by Dr Steve Peters who is the Psychiatrist involved with the Olympic Cyclists. I had never read a book like this before and it's not aimed solely for athletes....... because I am not one!!!
I found it incredibly informative and use it when I get to point where I start to have those thoughts, in all sorts of situations not just running.
I always tell myself that is one more step, or whatever, that I don't ever have to do again if I get negative thoughts. And if it's a run or distance I've done before I give myself a mental talking to and say you've done this already, you can do it again.
Fab picture As for the self-talk, my usual internal conversation is "this is hard, surely it shouldn't be this hard, bet others find it easier than this, be easy to stop" followed by " I can make it to ....../ I'm out for a run so I'm going to run/ I am going to do this" and so far have only had one practice run Glad to know I'm not that unusual after all Happy running.
Lovely pic Ju, and sorry times are tough at work, Big hugs for you ((( )))
I always tell myself " I have come out to do 5k ( or whatever it is ) and like it or not, I'm not stopping until I do ,suck it up ( or words to that effect ) xxx
Hope work improves in the new year. Good post though. When I think I want to stop my self-talk is along the lines of, "Which bit of you isn't working? Your legs? No, they're fine. Your lungs? No, they're fine. Your brain? Yes, your brain is the problem. Your body's fine and it's your body that's doing all the work. Brain, quit your whinging! Look at that bird/Christmas tree/sunset/whatever..."
Good thinking 99, I will try it. Gremlins, watch out!
Getting older, when you have time to relax, you sometimes think negative thoughts from the past, and can have regrets, which then drag you down, so this method would be perfect for any occasions.
Love the photo & add my hugs to the others queuing up for you. So when you're struggling you can go & pick a hug. 🤗🤗
A few years ago I read "the inner game of tennis" which is all about the mind games & dealing with the negative self-talk. Did you know the last word in your mind before you do something is the most powerful? E.g. "I hope I don't miss" almost always leads to failure! I think Andy Murray is the biggest example of turning the mind round & becoming the champion he is.
We spend so many hours at work that if things aren't going well there, it can easily drag you right down and spill over into other parts of your life. You're such a shining, positive personality, just remember that
Wrap those negative thoughts in beautiful white tissue paper, then throw them over your shoulder as you run away from them, your manta is let it go, let it go...
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Running is my therapy 
Happy running.
Did W4 R1 and it didn't kill me!
Negatives
No running today - Parkrun killed me! 
W7R1 almost killed me...didn't
W7R2 and Iron Maiden nearly killed me
