Why Bother Trying Again

Life can be incredibly challenging when we face significant losses. Losses can encompass anything you lose in your life: the tragic passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a house, or anything that holds significant meaning for you. Really, anything that creates a sense of despair in your life. However, the way we speak to ourselves during these moments—these inevitable but crucial moments—will significantly influence our recovery and resilience. That inner voice we all have creates a huge impact on all of this!

Here's a reimagined self-talk phrase that you can use to remind yourself of your inner strength and potential:

"I am a resilient soul, capable of navigating life's storms. My spirit is strong, and my skills are honed through experience. With clarity and focus, I move forward. I am dedicated to my journey of growth, embracing each lesson along the way."

Why Our Self-Talk Matters

The narratives we create for ourselves in our own minds will either uplift us or weigh us down. After experiencing a major loss, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and defeated. You will go through many feelings with any loss, and anything you feel is natural. These feelings are valid, but please remember these feelings do not define us. By consciously choosing to engage in positive self-talk, we can transform our mindset and begin the healing process. How we speak to ourselves matters; you matter!

A Personal Journey Through Loss

I recently lost my mother on December 9th of this year. She was on hospice for just over two months, and watching her go through that process was incredibly difficult. This isn’t my first experience with loss, but it is the most recent and perhaps the most profound. Having faced these challenges, I understand how deeply loss can impact us, and how vital it is to nurture ourselves through compassionate and beneficial self-talk.

The Power of Positive Self-Talk

• Reinforces Belief in Yourself: Beneficial self-talk and an encouraging inner voice remind you of your strengths and capabilities. They reinforce your belief in yourself, even when faced with adversity.

• Encourages Growth: By focusing on growth, you remind yourself that setbacks are temporary and that each experience provides an opportunity to learn and improve. Growth can be painful, especially when it comes through loss, but it can be profound if you allow it.

• Builds Resilience: Resilient self-talk helps you bounce back from hardships, enabling you to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset. In my experience, this mindset has proven to be much better for me than other mindsets I have allowed to take over.

• Improves Emotional Health: Positive self-talk can reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better emotional well-being. Eliminating as much stress and anxiety as possible is a good thing. While stress and anxiety have their place, too much of it in your life can be damaging to not only your emotional health but your physical health as well.

Practice Mindful Self-Talk

To harness the power of self-talk, start by acknowledging your feelings without judgment. Let yourself feel whatever it is that you are feeling, note where you might feel it in your body, and just observe it. Then, gently shift your focus to good self-talk. Concentrate on the inner dialogue you are having and concentrate on those things that emphasize your strengths and potential. This practice can be challenging at first, especially if negative thinking has become a habit. However, with persistence, listening to encouraging and beneficial self-talk can become a powerful tool for healing and growth.

For more guidance on taking control of your self-talk, consider exploring resources like the Seizing Control recording. This tool can help you transform your internal dialogue and regain a sense of empowerment after a loss.

Remember, while losses are inevitable, they do not define your future. By choosing to speak kindly to yourself, you pave the way for healing and new beginnings.