Ever Talk to Yourself?
What is Self-Talk?
Self-talk is the internal conversation you have with yourself throughout the day. It shapes how you see yourself, others, and the world—and it has a direct impact on your emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. It also can be explored and harnessed to help you better understand yourself, heal (if you need/or would like to), and ultimately become closer to the you, you want to be.
Self-talk is the internal conversation you have with your self and it plays a huge role in how you see the world. But just as it shapes you, so too can you shape it to create greater wellbeing in your life.
Thoughts influence feelings, and the two often combine to determine our behaviors. Unhelpful self-talk often leads to distress and unhealthy patterns. But you can challenge and change those thoughts.
Engage in mindfulness and meditation practices to give your self-awareness a good boost.
When you notice your internal dialogue, ask yourself if your thinking is true, helpful, and kind. If it's all three, then allow your thinking to nourish you. If your self-talk isn’t all three (honestly and truly), then acknowledge that fact and welcome a more helpful alternative into your mind.
And remember, nothing is black or white; no one is a mind-reader (including you!); and ‘should’ statements (like, “I should be doing more”) can be a slippery slope.
Beyond recognizing, redirecting, and cultivating your thinking, you can also harness self-talk to explore the various aspects of who and what you are. You can think of the mind as made up of many “parts”—each with its own voice and role. 99% of the time, every “part” of you is there to be helpful, although often, they help in outdated ways that ultimately hold you back or keep you stuck in the past in some way. Approach the various parts of yourself with curiosity, not judgement (judgment is pretty natural, but if you can, try exchanging it for compassion and then curiosity).
Try this exercise:
Pause. Notice the thought or inner voice.
Name the Voice. (for example, “That’s my perfectionist part.”)
Get Curious. Ask: “What is this part trying to protect me from?”
If you like, you can even go a bit deeper and directly ask that voice about itself to better understand where its coming from and what its goals might be.
Reframe and Soothe. Offer a more compassionate or helpful message to both the inner voice and your greater self.
Talking to yourself, isn’t something to “fix”—it’s something to listen to, learn from, and cultivate over time. When we respond to ourselves with awareness, curiosity, and compassion, we create space for growth, clarity, and healing.
And if you’d like to learn more or explore further with compassionate guidance, book a session, and let's work together to help you thrive. I am here to help you navigate your journey. Scan the qr code, visit AdamScheldt.com, or just give me a call at 716-431-4695 to get started.