What Is it – Negative Self-Talk/Inner Critic

Negative self-talk is a type of inner dialogue when you talk to yourself in your head. Also known as your inner critic, it is full of pessimistic and bad thoughts about yourself, it’s you dissing and doubting your abilities, and who you are. These thoughts are almost always irrational and focus on our losses and failures. We can express it through speaking out loud or we can keep it locked up as mind chatter. But in my own experience, negative self-talk results in bad feelings, such as insecurity, guilt, shame, fear, and a whole lot of unworthiness.

 How Does Negative Self-Talk Work?

Your inner critic works by convincing you that your situation is hopeless and that you are incapable of achieving anything. I always doubt my competence, worthiness, and skills whenever I get these negative thoughts. This kind of self-talk creates a messed up physical and mental response, and for some people, it affects their relationships with other people as well. People with negative self-talk tend to have difficulty expressing their feelings and communicating effectively, and others around them notice this. 

Effects of Negative Self-Talk

The effects of your inner critic are the worst for teenagers and young adults. We often lack self-confidence and are more likely to be overwhelmed by thoughts of self-doubt just when we need to feel the most confident. For many, including myself, this creates feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. For others, negative self-talk can cause a lot of teens and young adults to underestimate their abilities and limit their potential. It can also ruin their progress and lead to interpersonal issues they have going on in their lives. 

How Can We Stop Negative Self-Talk?

The best way to stop negative self-talk is to recognize its presence and then challenge it with positive affirmations, something we have talked about before. Remember how great you are, the benefits of your existence, the people who love you, and your accomplishments. But also, whenever you experience any of these thoughts, try to practice relaxation and mindfulness techniques, such as breathing, which is beneficial for lowering stress levels and increasing self-awareness. 

Lastly, creating a daily routine about making realistic goals can help to create positive behaviors and attitudes towards your life in general, so you can increase your positive thoughts. We need to avoid believing our inner critic, so teenagers and young adults can build a more positive and healthy outlook on life, and the ability to reach their full potential.

Mindfulness Video

This video by Jennifer is something we do here at BBGTV all the time. Mindfulness moments provide you with a much-deserved break from overthinking and negative self-talk. As soon as the bell rings, recognize the negative self-talk thoughts that are entering your mind and try to let go of them while gently breathing in and out. By the end of the video, you might feel better and more grounded than ever before.

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