November 5, 2025 How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk
“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – Brené Brown
Listen to, or read this meditation:
Have you ever noticed that little voice in your head that sometimes says mean things? You know the one—it tells you you're not good enough, that you'll mess up, or that everyone else is better than you. That voice is called negative self-talk, and here's the truth: we all have it. But you don't have to let it run the show.
Think of your mind like a radio station. Right now, it might be playing the "You Can't Do It" channel on repeat. But guess what? You're holding the dial, and you can change the station anytime you want.
Here’s what reframing is - Reframing is like being a detective with your own thoughts. When a negative thought pops up, you pause and ask yourself, "Wait a minute—is this actually true?" Then you flip it around and find a better, truer way to think about it.
For example, instead of thinking "I'm terrible at math," you could reframe it to "Math is challenging for me right now, but I'm learning and getting better." See the difference? One thought shuts you down. The other opens a door.
Here’s Why This Matters - Your thoughts are powerful. They shape how you feel, how you act, and what you believe is possible. When you let negative self-talk take over, it's like walking around with heavy rocks in your backpack all day. But when you reframe those thoughts, you're putting those rocks down and walking lighter.
The cool part? Your brain is like a muscle. The more you practice thinking helpful thoughts, the stronger that habit becomes. Eventually, positive self-talk starts to feel as natural as breathing.
**Common Negative Thoughts and How to Flip Them**
- "I always mess up" → "Sometimes I make mistakes, and that's how I learn"
- "Nobody likes me" → "I have people who care about me, and I'm working on building more friendships"
- "I can't do this" → "This is hard right now, but I can figure it out step by step"
Notice how each reframe doesn't ignore reality? It's not about pretending everything is perfect. It's about being honest AND kind to yourself at the same time.
**Your Action Step**
Here's what I want you to do today: Keep a "Thought Journal" for just three days. When you catch yourself thinking something negative, write it down. Then, right next to it, write a reframed version—a kinder, truer way to think about it.
You might be surprised how often that negative channel is playing. But you'll also discover something wonderful: you have the power to change it. Every single time.
Remember, you're not stuck with the thoughts you have. You're the DJ of your own mind, and it's time to play a better song.
© 2025 Detroit Flanagan
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