Breakthrough on Negative Self-Talk

[nspyredj]

Hi All-

I was obsessing for awhile about how infrequent I've been on the support group and how guilty I felt for not checking in. Part of that is due to the fact that I've been telling myself that I'm "stuck" on Session 3 (and have been for almost a month).

Let me explain- I've been procrastinating and avoiding moving forward because of the assignment to write down my negative thoughts. I kept saying, "If I write down every negative thought I have, I'll never do anything else for the day." (yes, I know, another negative thought).

Here's my "breakthrough": One step at a time. I can't do it all every second of the day - but I can make steps forward. I can take time each day, several times a day, for writing and reflection of these thoughts and how to change them. I'm big on schedules and realized that if I want to focus on the assignments and exercises, I have to schedule them too. So - here I go.

One thing I wanted to mention. When listening to the group section of Session 3 on the cd, I heard a man mention that to just start off, it was easier to say, "Thoughts. Just thoughts." That helped me so much in realizing that even a small positive thought will help me move forward.

This is because I've been a negative thinker my entire life. I grew up with depression and anxiety in my family (parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters - all of us have some form of it so it was learned). On top of that, my family is sarcastic and dramatic (a hug from someone is usually not sincere, it is a production of sorts to play it off).

So - with all this, I realized that a "negative thought" can be disguised as: complaining, procrastination, sarcasm, excuses, judgement, rethinking a situation (either past or future events) and will help me feel bad, upset, angry, guilty, stupid, inferior, wrong, and exhausted.

Maybe you all have these "other manifistations" of a negative thought too. The great thing is, once you name it - you can move passed it! WOOHOO! I'm excited about moving forward now!

Hope this helps someone else. I wish you all great success. -J

[Guest]

Hi J...thanks so much for such an insightful post...thought provoking! I too (as do most/several that I've seen post here) have trouble with writing my negative thoughts. Although they are what they are, I sometimes feel embarrassed for even HAVING such negative thoughts...what if someone else reads them...I'm exposed! I've read thru sources other than this program, the importance of writing our feelings/emotions...I'm going to take this to heart, as I want to gain peace & happiness over this anxiety state...I wish that for all of us!
I'm not officially staying with the "schedule" in completing the program...but I continue to work on it and check into this forum daily. I just tuned into the session about Assertiveness, I was once again amazed by how relevant(sp?) the topic was...made me think back to how often Pecos would mention how perfectly formulated this program is and how each topic ties to the next in such logical order...Amen!! I'm just so glad to have found something that I feel understands this discorder SO THOROUGHLY and helps us in working thru these issues. Great life lasting tools/skills to continue to build upon!
Thanks again J, for starting this thread and sharing your insights...very helpful!
Have a great week end!

[Guest]

I can so relate! I have not realized befor how many neg thoughts I have had throughout the day. WOW, it is no wonder I have been feeling so junky! I have noticed though that doing the self talk journal has really helped me to put these thoughts to rest! Once I write them down it is like I let them go. I have also noticed that I am having fewer and fewer, but I am not going to jump ship I really think this is a valuable piece of the puzzle and intend to keep up with it. Have a great day!

[Guest]

You all are really inspiring. . . I've been feeling similar myself, and I'm happy to see somebody else putting it to words.