A Path to Self-Discovery

I struggle with the negative demons inside my head. What I am talking about is called negative self-talk.  We all have it from time to time, but what I am speaking on is when negative self-talk begins to affect your daily activities. Since they are inside our heads, others may not see our suffering, but trust me, it can be exhausting to have to battle, sometimes daily, with our negative thoughts’ day in and day out.

Days filled with deliberating stressors may sap our energy, whereas, fighting off the negative thoughts that are floating around in our brains, which can and often turns into anxiety, self-loathing, and depression.

I tried something new this week that I would like to share with you. Remember to be patient with yourself during your healing journey because a new habit may take up to two weeks before it develops into a permanent habit. Our bad habits do not dissipate overnight, but I think within two weeks’ time, is a fair assessment and worth it, allowing us to be better than we were yesterday. If I can be better tomorrow than I was today, it helps me to continue my path to a more positive self-discovery by gaining more confidence, with a higher self-esteem.

What I try to do when I notice the soft-spoken, but persistent negative self-talk, whispering such things as, “why didn’t you stand up for yourself…you’re going to let them treat you like that?”. What the old me would do with this information would be to begin the treacherous process of beating up on myself with the lack of supporting words like, “they are right, maybe it is my fault.”

However, I no longer follow this destructive path, but instead I change my thoughts and inner voice to something more positive, and convincing, such as, “it wasn’t worth the battle”, “I have the right to my opinion as well as you do”. When you are ready, ask them to sit down with you so that you can privately speak to them about what you don’t like with an understanding to changing for the better.

We all can make positive changes in our daily decisions, resulting in the permanent changes we create within our lives. Our decisions are our own to be made. By respecting ourselves, we create healthy relationships, honor positive decisions, and take responsibility for our actions, without blaming others for our choices. Every day is a new beginning to be the best we can be. Don’t let yesterday define who you are today, and don’t allow it to hinder your new promises for tomorrow.