Killing Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs)

“As a man thinketh, so he is.” Proverbs 23 7

What do you say when you talk to yourself? Your self-talk can be either constructive or destructive. People using positive self-talk cultivate self-confidence, motivation, and a heightened sense of well-being. People who adopt a habit, consciously or unconsciously, of automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) struggle with anxiety, depression, self-defeating behaviors, and an inability to fully accept themselves.

Reflect back on the recent conversations you have had with yourself. Were you kind and compassionate? Were you harsh and judgmental? Was it supportive or sabotaging?

So where does all this internal chatter come from? It can come from a culmination of all of our experiences, such as criticisms, hurts and betrayals, traumas, disappointments or things that we feel set us apart from others. More often than not these thoughts are based more on what we perceive and feel about the situation, thus sometimes distorting its accuracy.

“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened.” ~Montaigne

So how can you kill the ANTs and develop self-talk that is re-affirming?

Challenge negative self-talk. Look for the evidence in what you are telling yourself about the situation.
Become your own best friend. Seriously, would you really talk to your best friend the way you talk to yourself sometimes? Take a few minutes of your day to really appreciate and cherish who you are. Think about all of the experiences that have shaped you into the person that you are and everything that you offer because of these experiences.
Track your thoughts. Write down each time you experience ANTs. What was the experience? What emotions did it trigger? How did you send that energy out to the world?

If you would like further assistance in how to change your self-talk, please feel free to schedule an appointment.

“It's not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it's what you whisper to yourself that has the most power!” ― Robert T. Kiyosaki