Low self-esteem is the major cause of negative thinking. Negative thinking can lower your self esteem even further creating a vicious cycle where you’re constantly feeling bad about yourself.
But the good news is that you don’t have to stay in this rut. You can overcome the vicious cycle of negative thinking and low self esteem. When you’re able to overcome negative thinking, your self esteem will naturally improve. You’ll boost your self confidence and feel far more optimistic about your life, no matter what you might be going through.
If you’re ready to break the cycle of negativity, you need to understand these essential truths.
Recognize Negative Thinking Patterns
Your actions always begin with your thoughts. If you think you’re hopelessly overweight and destined to stay that way, then it doesn’t matter how many diet books you buy or blogs you read, you’re still going to struggle. The fact is that you’ll stay overweight because you haven’t changed your mindset.
If you want to change something in your life, you’ll have to change your thoughts first. Instead of thinking that you’re destined to be overweight, work on changing your thinking. Try saying to yourself that you’re in control of what you eat and how much. Doing this changes the story you’re telling yourself. You just went from the victim in this story to the victor.
Change Your Mental Outlook
You are the only one with the power to change your mental soundtrack. Just because you have some negative thoughts doesn’t mean you have to listen to them. You alone have the power to change your focus.
Instead of concentrating on the terrible day you had, start thinking about a simple pleasure – a serendipity – that you’ve been anticipating like getting to change into your yoga pants or flannel pants tonight or hearing your son’s laughter during a silly bedtime game. By focusing on what’s positive, you’re teaching yourself to let go of negative thoughts.
Remember Garbage In, Garbage Out
It’s hard to stay positive if you’re constantly consuming negative information. Watch your social media consumption. If you really want to change your negative self-talk, then you have to focus on consuming good stuff. You want to read and watch content that lifts you up. Not only will you feel better, you’ll notice that your self-talk is more optimistic when you focus on the good.
Practice Mindfulness
Stay aware of your present environment and what’s going on around you, whether you’re at home, at work or out running errands. It can be very easy to get sidetracked by negative thoughts if you don’t stay present. If you’ve found your mind going off on auto pilot, take a minute to focus on your breath and refocus. No judgment, just regroup.
Practice Positive Affirmations
What you say about yourself will become your truth. That’s why it’s really helpful to practice positive affirmations every day. Begin by looking in the mirror and telling yourself something like “I’m in charge of how I feel today and I choose happiness.” When you speak these positive affirmations out loud, they’ll begin to affect how you talk to yourself and how you live out your life.
Everyone struggles with negative thinking at some point in their life. The important thing to remember is not to beat yourself up when you’re in a mental rut. Accept that you had a negative thought, then just push it away and replace it with a positive one.
No matter how ingrained your negative thinking patterns might be, you can overcome it. Think of it as building new mental muscles. It will be hard at first but just like any other good habit or intention, it will become ingrained if you stay with it.
YES! These are great points. “It’s hard to stay positive if you’re constantly consuming negative information.” This is so true. Several times, God has impressed on me to turn off my phone and open His word <3
This all is so true. What a great reminder!
This is a great perspective! I need to cut back on social media, it’s been dragging me down! Thanks for the ideas!
This is just what I needed! I struggle with negative thoughts a lot but I am definitely going to try out some of your tips. Thanks for sharing!
Great points Thanks for sharing
Yes! Our energy follows our thoughts, so if we are thinking about negative things that is where our energy will go. These are great tips for breaking that cycle.
This can be so hard for some, like myself. But it is so important. Thank you for sharing this
These are great reminders!
I love this good job! I myself struggle with saying to myself I’m not good enough especially my body, but a lot of people say I’m skinny. It’s not that I’ve just had two kids and it’s not easy, but again it’s up to me and I make myself defeat my goals. Thank you for the awesome words!
Great advice! I’ve always been pessimistic but I found that it was making me very unhappy! I am working hard this year to change that. I will be keeping your post in mind!
Great post! I really enjoyed reading this!
These are great tips. It took me a minute to realize I was surrounding myself with people who always had negative thoughts and comments and it consumed me. I cut back on spending time with them and it has cleared my mind! Thank you for sharing!
This is really helpful! I am negative by nature, but the last year (since I’ve been blogging actually) I have been trying to become more positive and focus on the good things life. For me the best thing to do is put things in perspective and go from there.
Yes! All of this is exactly what I need to work on. I try to read a few motivational quotes everyday so I’m not taking in so much “garbage”.
This was a great read. Thinking positive and giving yourself positive thoughts really makes a difference.
I agree 100%. Your mind is definitely the culprit with EVERY decision, outcome, feeling, and every everything! Starting with your thoughts will change your trajectory for sure! It is so much easier to say than do but we have to make a conscious effort to think positive.
Hi Marya! This is a great post. I totally believe in our responsibility to guard our minds and hearts against negative thought patterns because our thoughts eventually become our actions. Life’s hard enough without constantly battling your own thoughts!
All great tips, Marya. I like to remind myself that thoughts are not facts, and I can choose how much weight I give to my thoughts. I do regularly meditate and use positive affirmations. It has made a real difference in my outlook. Thanks for the reminder.
I have to continually monitor myself for negative thinking patterns. It’s a daily decision not to feed the bad wolf!