Think Positive: The Importance Of Self-Talk

"Think positive and positive things will happen."

I recently decided to write that quote on a sticky note and put it on my computer. Why? Because I have trouble thinking positively about studying and about how well I'm going to do on tests, which never ends well. Negative self-talk is never a good idea.

Our self-talk is extremely important. We all know the Golden Rule: "treat others as you want to be treated." Think of how you talk to yourself. Are you saying things to yourself that you would be OK saying to someone else? Would you do your best to lift others up? Are you lifting yourself up or tearing yourself down? We often don't treat ourselves the same way we would treat others because of many different reasons. Maybe we don't think we deserve it. Or maybe we don't believe the positive self-talk we are trying to tell ourselves.

Speaking from experience, it is extremely hard to think of yourself in a positive way sometimes. I know that I'll have days where all I will do is criticize everything I do or put myself down. I won't believe it when someone tells me that the things I am telling myself aren't true. But then, after a while, the feeling just goes away and I go on with my day. Some days, the a mirror is my best friend and, some days, my worst enemy.

We must remember that everyone has flaws and no one is perfect. We need to do our best to lift ourselves up as much as we lift others up. It may feel like there is a war going on inside your head between the positive self-talk and the negative self-talk, but if you try hard enough, the positive self-talk will win. Just believe in yourself and know that you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to.

Loving yourself and loving who you are takes a lot of patience and hard work, but if you are willing to change the way you think about yourself in a positive way, I promise you that it will be worth it. In order for us to be more positive, we also need to make sure the people we hang out with help make us feel good, too. If you are always around people that are putting you down or saying negative things about you, it's time to find new friends. It might be hard to let them go and find new friends, but you'll thank me later.

I will end with a positive thought from me to you. If no one has told you this today, here you go:

You are beautiful/handsome. You are smart, funny, and kind. You are full of worth and will go on to do wonderful things, despite what anyone tells you. Finally, always know that you are loved by someone.