“Goodness, you’re such a fool!”
Imagine if someone said that to your best friend. You’d probably defend your friend, right? But here’s the thing—how often do you say unkind things like this to yourself?
We all have a little “voice” inside our heads that keeps chatting with us. But sometimes, this voice can be really mean. It says negative stuff that makes us feel bad about ourselves.
But guess what? We can change this mean voice into a nicer, more encouraging one. We can upgrade it to match who we truly are inside.
Let’s make this year about transforming ourselves. It’s time to swap those negative thoughts with kinder ones that truly reflect who we are.
Start by making a list of the mean things you say to yourself. These are the thoughts that bring you down. Once you’ve got your list, think about what would be a kinder way to think and talk to yourself. Instead of saying, “I’m too out of shape for the gym,” try saying, “Going to the gym will help me get healthier.”
Try to remind yourself of these positive thoughts every day. Say them out loud in the morning when you’re getting ready for the day. Write them down on colorful sticky notes and put them where you’ll see them often. You can even set up reminders on your phone to help you remember.
Here’s another exercise: Spend 30 minutes each day paying attention to how you talk to yourself. If you catch yourself saying something mean, stop that thought and replace it with something nice. Treat yourself the way you’d treat a good friend going through a tough time.
The more you practice these simple exercises, the more your thoughts and feelings will start to become positive. You’ll notice that you handle challenges better and feel kinder towards yourself.
Remember: You deserve the same kindness and encouragement that you give to others. By upgrading the way you talk to yourself, you can discover a better version of you. This journey can make you stronger, more confident, and happier throughout the year.
