The power of words is greatly underestimated. There is great significance in the intentionality used when it comes to mindset, inner dialogue, and self-talk.ย
Iโve experienced firsthand the impact and importance of word choice when speaking and even thinking about myself. While I have always considered myself a relatively confident person, I have noticed that my mindset plays a big role in how I feel about myself. The more negative, self-doubting thoughts I had or vocalized about myself, the more those thoughts manifested in my life.ย
Experiencing that confidence dwindling over time was disheartening and confusing. The more I told myself I wasnโt going to succeed, the less I did, and the less I did, the more I told myself I wouldnโt. It felt like an endless cycle.
The last few years of my life fall into a unique and significant period of growth and self-discovery. Having reflected on this time so far, I have noticed that the language Iโve used with myself has drastically changed and evolved. It was at the beginning of college that I decided to make a concerted effort to improve my mental health and be more cognizant of how I treat myself.ย
Since then, I have become more mindful when it comes to taking time to remind myself that I am capable. I take conscious time throughout the day to visualize myself succeeding. I have begun writing down my goals and journaling to organize my thoughts. Having provided more structure to my thinking has made a notable difference in how I feel about myself.ย
Positive Self-Talk in Adolescent: A Systematic Literature Review stresses the importance of positive self-talk and delves into the impact it has on younger people in particular.ย
According to the article, โPositive statements that reveal positive emotions, and feelings, and generate logical and constructive decisions. Positive self-talk can be effective in facilitating and generating logical and constructive decisions. Positive self-talk can be effective in facilitating the success of individuals. Therefore, modifying the core of beliefs in people’s subconscious mind can be achieved through positive affirmations and repeating positive questions to oneself. Modifying the beliefs of an individual will change the way they think and impact on their emotional state.โ
I have coupled the habit of positive self-talk with having a physical representation of what I strive for. Writing things down makes it feel more real, and ultimately more obtainable. Since taking the extra step of writing things down, whether it be goals, affirmations, or simply planning out my day, I have seen a vast improvement in my progression in mental health, and confidence in general.
Clara De la Cerda, a senior at California Lutheran University, said journaling has helped her since she started college. She speaks of her experience going into college, having felt unsure of herself and who she was, while pondering big questions such as, โWhat am I going to do for the rest of my life?โย
Cerda said that journaling is a powerful tool and said it contextualizes one’s thoughts, good or bad. She said thatย taking control of your thoughts and being thoughtful with your inner dialogue is empowering.ย
She gave examples of positive affirmations, saying, โI am beautiful, smart, kind, I am strong-willed.โย
I believe that what you choose to perpetuate in your daily life is more likely to become your truth. This is why developing good habits is so crucial.ย Whether that be through visualization, prayer,ย journaling, or manifestation, simply putting the idea of success and positivity out into the world is vital.
Devon Lewis is a graduate student at Cal Lutheran and a member of the Kingsmen basketball team. He said that self-talk has impacted his life as well as his athletic performance over the years. According to Lewis, much of his success on the court is thanks to his mindset and the mental preparation that goes into it.ย
โThe more you believe something, the more you write it down, the more you think about it, the more you pray on it, whatever it may be, I feel the more likely it will happen,โ Lewis said.
โIn sports, I think mental preparation is very important to be successful and give yourself that confidence to go accomplish whatever goals you may want to accomplish. I think it also just gets you ready for whatever you’re about to experience in life if you mentally rehearse whatever outcome you want,โ Lewis said.
According to Lewis, his mental preparation is congruent with his confidence, which manifests itself in his success on and off the court.
While shifting my mindset canโt and won’t happen overnight, there is value in making a concerted effort every day. Acknowledging negative thoughts as they come up, and taking a moment to reframe them is a small action that can amount to a stronger mindset in the long run.
