Talking Myself Through It

Researchers know that depressive people tend to see the world through a negative lens. For instance, on an unusually hot day in the summer, a well-adjusted person might think, “This is a perfect pool day!” A depressive person like me will think, “Definitely global warming. The world is going to end soon.” 

Over the years, I learned to counter my unrealistic negativity when it crops up by constantly feeding myself more positive, realistic thoughts. At first, I didn’t think it would work, but then I told myself that it was just my Negative Voice talking.  Anyway, I've been trying this positive affirmation business and trust me, I've needed to use it A LOT in the last year...and it works amazingly well. Here are some of the things that I tell myself...

When Life Feels Too Hard

• “Everything always works out eventually. This will, too. And if it doesn’t work out, that means I’m dead, so it won’t matter anyway.”
• “Anything is possible, even this.
• “Just put one foot in front of the other.”

When I’m Too Scared to Take a Risk

• “It’s better to try and fail than to not try at all.”
• “I need to do this. Otherwise I’ll always wonder, ‘What if I’d had the courage?’”

When I’m Lusting After Something I Can’t Afford

• “If I had that, I’d probably be really unhappy.”
• "When I get it home I won't love it nearly as much."

When I’m Wallowing in Self Pity

• “Build a bridge and get over it.”
• “There are much worse things than this.”
• “This, too, shall pass.”

When I Feel Overwhelmed

• “I’ll get it all done. I just might not get it all done today.”
• “Am I really going to care about this when I am on my deathbed?”

What kinds of things do you tell yourself when life gets a little tough?

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