9. I hate myself. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

10 Ways To Replace Negative Thoughts, Because The Way You Talk To Yourself Matters

It is way easier to be negative about our life than it is to be positive.

107
10 Ways To Replace Negative Thoughts, Because The Way You Talk To Yourself Matters

Let's face it, we live in a world where we are expected to be perfect. We need to not only need to meet beauty standards, but we also need to be exceptional in every aspect of our lives from our academics to our careers. This often leads to feelings of disappointment and internalized self-loathing that manifests into negative self-talk. This type of self-talk not only leads us to feeling worse about ourselves, but it can affect us in our day to day. Here are some common things that you may be telling yourself and what to think instead.

1. I am a failure.

As stated earlier, we hold elevated expectations for ourselves and when we do not meet those expectations it can be devastating to our pride and mental health.

Instead of telling yourself that you can say: This moment does not define me. I am more than my mistakes and I will continue to move forward.

2. I am too fat or ugly for this.

The truth is, we are constantly told we need to fit a certain expectation and look. This expectation is often extremely unrealistic and leads to self-hatred. It is time you stop allowing yourself to think like this. You are perfect.

Tell yourself this: I am MORE than enough. The expectations of those around me have nothing to do with me. I am beautiful and perfect as I am. No one can tell me otherwise.

3. This is impossible. I can't do this.

When you are telling yourself that something is impossible or that you cannot do something, you are limiting yourself and putting yourself in a situation that is bound to leave you feeling discouraged. Few things are impossible on this earth and if you tell yourself that you can't do something, you are declaring it into your life.

Instead tell yourself: I can and will do this. Even if I fail, I will not live with the regret of never trying. I am more than my shortcomings.

4. I am completely alone, and no one cares about me.

It may seem like you are completely alone in the world with no one to depend on. This feeling is terrible and does not lead to happy days or thoughts. In fact, thinking like this often will keep you walled off and make it difficult to make new connections.

Rather than allowing yourself to think like this, tell yourself: The relationships I do not have do not make me less of a person. I care about me and that is the most important part. Everything and everyone else will fall into place.

5. I am not smart enough for this.

No one is clever and smart in everything. However, this statement is often used in broad way that makes a person feel bad about themselves in general. If you find yourself thinking this way, try and identify what makes you feel this way so that you can improve in that aspect.

Tell yourself instead: I am intelligent and capable. I will work harder to improve in this area so that I can grow as a person.

6. Why does this always happen to me?

Nothing good comes of throwing a self-pity party. This thought not only magnifies your problems but leads to a downwards spiral of negativity.

Think instead: While today or this moment is not favorable, I will not allow myself to dwell on my problems. I will choose happiness.

7. I am not as good as they are.

How can we not compare ourselves to others in a time where everyone is constantly posting about all the amazing things going on in their lives and their accomplishments. However, you should not strive to be like someone else. You should strive to be the best version of you. The only competition is yourself, remember that.

Tell yourself: I do not have to be like them, all I must do is be the best me. Life is not a competition where I am trying to be better than others. I want to be the best me.

8. Life would be better if x/y/z had never happened.

Regret is painful and is something that keeps a lot of us up at night. This regret may come from a risk you never took or a risk you did take that was not worth it. However, one thing is certain. You must not live in the past. Be present and focused.

Tell yourself instead: The mistakes of my past do not define me. I am more than the decisions of my past and I will utilize these memories to make better decisions in the future.

9. I hate myself.

This is a thought that often cuts deep. The worst part is when we think it about ourselves. It hurts and shows that a better relationship is needed with yourself. Take some time to do reflecting and find the cause of this thought. Figure out a way to get it out of your system because you need to be your best supporter.

Tell yourself instead: I love myself so much that I want the best for myself. I want to grow and change, but I am not seeing the changes right now. I know that everything will be okay in the end.

10. What's the point?

This thought only leads room for negativity. Why would you do something if you are already expecting failure or for it not to work out or be worth it? Sometimes we need to suck it up and press on.

Tell yourself instead: I might not see the point of this right now, but it will be worth it in the end. Even if it is not, it is better to live without regret than to dwell on the chances never taken.

In the end, you need to speak love unto yourself. We are often too hard on ourselves and have expectations of perfection. Remember to be kind to yourself. Your words mean more than anyone else's. If you find yourself thinking these thoughts make the choice to leave negativity where it belongs, away from you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

4713
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119072
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1054
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

759
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

845
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments