Self Talk: A Thank You Letter To Myself
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Self Talk: A Thank You Letter To Myself
We all go through our internal struggles with ourselves. Our self-doubt, questioning everything that we do, whether we are good enough, pretty enough, brave enough. We are in a constant state of ‘talking ourselves down from a ledge’. Trying, from a place of concern for our own best interest, to keep ourselves ‘safe’. But, I think it’s time we cut the crap and start realizing that we are doing more to limit ourselves than we are to protect ourselves. It’s time to listen to our own self talk and realize its impact on us.
What would happen if we stopped holding ourselves back?
What do we honestly believe, at our core, will happen if we put ourselves out there into the world? Is there anything so terrible that we can justify keeping ourselves small, tight in our safe little cocoon, because we are afraid. If you have been reading my blogs and following along with me on my journey you will know that this is a process that I am working through daily. Trying to understand what has steered me through my life up until now (I am slowly realizing it was mainly fear).  What can I learn from this and where do I go from here? What I have realized is that instead of chastising myself for every small doubt or complaint, it is time to look back at how far I have come and offer some kind and encouraging words to myself instead.
We are so hard on ourselves, no wonder we struggle to make a change. It is almost impossible to picture yourself succeeding at something if you cannot practice positive self-talk.  If you were working for a boss and they spoke to you the way that you speak to yourself in your head, you would be mortified! But, somehow, we tolerate that nasty voice that keeps putting us down. There are two sides to this. Firstly, that voice is actually NOT you! It is years and years of listening to society’s views on how things should be. The good news about that is it is within your power to STOP listening RIGHT NOW! Don’t believe a word they say! You are capable!
Photo Credit: Rod Long on Unsplash
Secondly, you have it in you to change that voice, not just stop listening.Â
Work on planting those positive seeds, today! Start giving yourself a damn chance at success! Start recognizing all those attributes that make you stand out above the rest. Pat yourself on the back for something you’ve achieved, no matter how small. With this in mind, I have decided to write myself a Thank You Letter. Instead of questioning my worthiness, I have decided to express gratitude for my good traits and accomplishments. This is my letter:
A Thank You Letter To Myself
‘I thought you were afraid. I thought you were ‘just you’. A mother, a wife, an employee. But, then, I looked again. You are strong. In your eyes I see a fire, a love of life that needs to be shared. I watch you as you stand up, time and again. I watch, and marvel at your resilience. You are made of stronger stuff than anyone would know. I see you struggling. Life challenges, but you keep going. I admire you. I am proud of you. The work you have put in, to create a life you believe in. You set out to grow, and grow you have!
But, I know also, that this is just the beginning. You will continue on your journey, you will learn more about yourself each day. Growth is part of you now. I used to think about the person I wanted to be.  I had ideas about what I wanted to look like, how I wanted to act. Watching you has made this clear, you are all I want to be. You are brave, kind, strong and resilient. This life is shaping you and you are ready for it. Thank you for showing me that I am enough, just as I am. Thank you for being you, ‘just you’.’
Kind words can change your life
This was not an easy thing to share, but I believe it is a hugely helpful in healing and growth for us all. Write a letter to yourself today. Say all the things your heart needs to hear. Be kind, be forgiving, be understanding. Be the person you ‘think’ you need someone else to be for you. You are all you need, but first you must say these kind and loving words to yourself. You need to let your soul know that it is okay. That you are okay, just as you are.
This might not be an easy thing for you to do, but be patient with yourself. Find one kind thing to say. List some of your strengths and thank yourself for them. Are you committed, resilient, brave? Take the time to really talk yourself up! Your life will begin to change when you start to talk to yourself like you matter. Talk to yourself like you would to someone ‘important’ because, after all, who is more important in your life than you?
Don’t be a victim of negative self-talk – remember YOU are listening – Bob Proctor
A great book to read to help you get out of your head is Girl, Wash Your Face
My go-to for inspiration and personal development is Gaia
If you enjoyed this blog you might enjoy reading my blog  Journaling: A Path To Self-DiscoveryÂ
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the blog! Leave a comment below! Thanks!
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Love this inspiration post! I agree that we have the power within ourselves to listen and talk and self- talk can be empowering. Thank you for this encouragement- may be I will write a letter soon till then positive thoughts and belief that I can!
It all starts with positive thoughts! If we can focus some of the positivity that we project onto everyone else onto ourselves we will be doing well. Thanks for reading!
What a beautiful written post! And it’s a good reminder that we should love ourselves more and to focus on the positiv parts inter of the negative ones. It’s very important to sit down and reflect! Thanks you for this post!
Thanks for reading, Josephine! Our self talk is something so many of us don’t think about, shifting it to the positive can make a huge difference 🙂
Great stuff Steph! I’m going to give your blog to my girls to read x
That’s a great idea, get them working on their self talk early on!
This is a great post, our inner voice is the most important voice and cause the most damage or do the most good. A healthy self out look is so important.
We can change our lives just by talking kindly to ourselves. So simple but so overlooked! Thanks for your comment, Jen.
I completely agree if we can just everyone on the same page about that the world would be a better place. It need more good like this, keeping on putting the inspiration out there my friend!
Thanks Jen! I agree, the world would be a happier place if we all loved ourselves more!
That was great, something that I need to do right away today, write that letter and put it up on my mirror. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Aaah, you are so welcome, I’m so glad it resonated with you!
Since last year, thanks to a friend, I started writing me letters. It is really important and interesting as, read over time, they become a perspective and a great way to talk to us. Understand and thank us.
Often we discount the need of communication with ourselves, but I think we need to nurture our relationship with ourselves as much as we do our other relationships. Thanks for reading, Cristina!
Very important. Thank you for shedding some light on this!
You are welcome, I believe if we can learn to be kinder to ourselves we can change the world around us.
Great article! Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door (quote from Coco Channel). Self-blame or play victim is the most hazardous energy to our well-being. Be kind to ourselves. Positive self-talk is powerful. If we’re not kind to ourselves, we won’t be kind to others.
Thanks for reading, Cathy! So true, we cannot be kind to others when we are constantly putting ourselves down in our heads.
Such a great post! It is true, writing a thank you letter is a wonderful idea. I have been doing a journal of what I am grateful for, for years. It has helped keep me on track throughout the years. I am definitely going to add this to my list to do! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Journaling is one of my favourite things, and focusing on gratitude is huge!
This is amazing! I am all for speaking self positivity. It’s so important to big up ourselves and stop stopping ourselves.
100% Agree! We need to stop standing in our own way! Thanks for reading!
Stephanie, I love the vulnerability you show in the piece. And to share your letter to yourself – a special act of giving. It takes great courage to share of yourself at this level – I’ve seen it over hundred times when people share their personal stories with me.
Thank you for this very important and beautiful blog post.
Thank you, Karletta! It means a lot to hear you say that. I really wanted to encourage people to say these words to themselves and thought that sharing would be encouraging. 🙂
This post is very beautiful and somehow touched a sensitive part of myself.
Thank you so much, Maria, I am so glad it resonated with you. I hope you write your own letter, and say those kind and loving words. 🙂
We definitely do not speak kindly to ourselves enough. We hold ourselves back out of fear or comfort and then regret choices not made. I really love this idea and the ability for self forgiveness rather than endlessly stewing over old regrets.
Exactly right! Stewing over things is so toxic, we need to learn to release and allow love in instead! Thanks for reading, Tara!
Being kind to yourself is the hardest but most important part of self-care.Thanks for the reminder.
I agree on both counts, it is the hardest and most important. The impact on our happiness is huge. Thanks for reading!
Read this at the perfect time because I am doubting myself in my new role at work! Need to learn how to stop
You absolutely need to stop doubting yourself, that’s the nasty voice talking! I’m glad the post was helpful, thanks for reading!
This is beautiful and inspiring! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Alyssa, I’m glad you found it inspiring!
All it takes is YOU to change your perspective and thoughts about yourself and your life. I have to remind myself this often when I’m in a bad mindset
We constantly need to remind ourselves that we are enough! Thanks for reading!
valuable post for people who are struggling with negative self image.
I completely agree that we have the power within ourselves to change our lives and kind words can definitely change our situation.
thank you very much for sharing this post.
You are so welcome! Kind words can change our entire lives 🙂