Practicing positive self-talk goes beyond positive affirmations and can result in cognitive reorganization of your thought processes and can change the actual physiological structure of your brain. Physically changing the structure of your brain has to do with the brain’s neuroplasticity and ability to generate new neural pathways and neural networks that can move you toward thinking more positively and being able to replace negative thought patterns with healthier thoughts. Think about some of the negative things you may say to yourself. How you may view yourself when you make a mistake. Positive affirmations are great but they can feel inauthentic and like you are lying to yourself if they are not a good fit for you. Even with positive self-talk, it’s important to create your own unique dialogue unique to you, your person, your lifestyle, your language, ethnicity, and culture. Positive self-talk will come easier and will work better when it feels authentic and natural. The more you practice and use your own language and words the better. What words help you to feel calm, safe, or strong? You can visualize the words, say or think about the words, and what they mean to you. For example, try visualizing the word Calm or any word you like on a blank screen for several minutes. Repeat the word in your mind, mouth the word silently, or say it out loud. Notice how it makes you feel. If you like the word and how it makes you feel hold on to that word for a while in your thoughts. Remember the word. Keep going back to that word and know it by heart before you add any other words to your repertoire. Try to use words that hold positive meaning for you, soothe you, and/or words that you can turn into a statement or sentence that will hold positive meaning for you.
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