by: Katherine M Harris, 2015.

 Negative Self Talk and Hypnotherapy

As I sit here at my desk, staring at the blank Word document on my computer screen, I question why I am even considering writing an article about negative self-talk and the benefits of hypnotherapy.  The critic within asks, ‘Who would be interested in, or appreciate my opinions?  What if something I write is perceived to be sub-standard in some way?’  And then a wry smile appears on my face as I recognise the irony of my own thoughts.

Many of us fall into the habit of negative self-talk, either to ourselves or whilst in the company of others.  Passed down from generation to generation, this pattern has steadily and systematically woven its way into our language and culture, all the while remaining mainly unchallenged and often encouraged in certain circles or situations.

Such statements can show up candy-wrapped in humour as in the well-used, ‘I’m having a blonde moment’ remark, or disguised in some other way. Underneath the colourful, shiny wrappings and other guises however, a subliminal, insidious Trojan horse is taking up residence, gradually becoming more and more powerful with each self-declaration.

Continuous negative self-talk ultimately results in what are universally referred to as self-fulfilling prophecies;  the words we speak becoming an integral part of who we identify ourselves to be, our behaviour and actions expressing the underlying mind-set in ways that perpetuate these statements.  And so it continues, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year; the sublime power of our own words steadily gaining momentum and gradually eroding our self-belief and diminishing our personal power.

To confound issues, most people are oblivious of their own negative chit-chat, or at best, only vaguely aware of some of it.    It is only when a resulting issue; some emotional, mental or otherwise tangible problem makes itself known to us that we realise something is not quite right, and even then we are unlikely to make the connection.  This is because whilst at surface level our issues and problems may not appear to have any obvious link to our thoughts and words, deep within the labyrinth of the subconscious, a very different kind of logic to how we usually see things is at play.

So with these facts in mind, is there anything we can do to reduce or eradicate this self-sabotaging habit?  The short answer is yes!  Initially, it may mean simply observing our behaviours, listening more attentively to ourselves and becoming more aware of the language we use when we think or talk about ourselves.   In doing so we may recognise the thought patterns that play the most major roles in our lives in addition to those that have the most powerful effect, and cultivate a growing awareness of the hold any underlying beliefs have over us.  The more consciously aware we become, the more likely we are to challenge our own words and gradually lay them to rest.

Of course, all of this is likely to take time, energy and commitment, and to maintain such vigilance in each and every moment on a daily basis will be no mean feat.  Yet without taking action, there is likely to be little, if any change in how we view ourselves, and therefore, little or no change in our outer, physical world; the world of work, of play, of relationships,  of health and well-being and so forth.  For those who feel they may benefit from some assistance here, Lesserian Curative Hypnotherapy has an excellent track record of helping people who desire to make these behavioural changes, to do so, and thereafter to have more control over their minds, and ultimately, their lives.

A human lifetime is such a short window of opportunity to experience all that this bountiful world offers us, so it is perhaps important to remind ourselves then, that whilst the mind is a great tool, it is just that – an instrument designed to support rather than to hinder or sabotage us. When we fully recognise this and take the action required to ensure we use our minds effectively and efficiently, old, outmoded beliefs and patterns of behaviour will fall away, leaving us free to live out the lives we came to live.  In the words of Paulo Coelho,

          ‘You have two choices; to control your mind or to let your mind control you.’  

by: Katherine Harris, 2015.

http://www.glamorgan-hypnotherapy.com