We’re now in week 4 of our July series on self-care and self-love. So far, we’ve talked about how self-care isn’t just about luxury, how self-love isn’t about feeling confident every day, and how boundaries are an act of self-respect.
Today, we’re talking about something you do all day, whether you realize it or not:
Self-talk.
The way you speak to yourself—especially in hard moments—matters more than you might think.
Self-Talk Shapes How You Treat Yourself
Most of us would never say to a friend what we sometimes say to ourselves.
“You’re so lazy.”
“You look awful today.”
“You’ll never stick with this.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
Those thoughts might feel automatic, but they’re not harmless. Over time, they can kill your confidence, your motivation, and even your ability to believe change is possible.
Self-love doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect.
It means treating yourself with compassion instead of criticism, even when things aren’t going the way you hoped.
Self-Talk and Your Wellness Journey
If you’re working on healthier habits—whether it’s moving more, eating more mindfully, or improving your sleep—your inner voice can either support you or sabotage you.
Here’s the difference:
💭 Critical voice:
“You skipped your workout. You’re so inconsistent.”
💬 Compassionate voice:
“Today didn’t go as planned. That happens. I will make a plan now to do my workout tomorrow.”
💭 Critical voice:
“You’ll never be able to eat healthy for more than a week.”
💬 Compassionate voice:
“Last week was hard, but you’re learning. Small steps are still progress.”
One voice fuels shame.
The other fuels growth.
You Can Rewire That Inner Voice
The good news? Self-talk can be changed—and like most things, it starts with awareness and practice.
Try this:
- Catch one negative thought today and write it down.
- Ask: Would I say this to someone I love?
- Rewrite it with kindness and encouragement.
You don’t have to be fake or overly positive—just honest and kind.
Mantras for Better Self-Talk
Need a place to start? Here are a few phrases to swap into your internal dialogue:
✨ “I’m learning.”
✨ “Progress is progress"
✨ “This is hard, but I can do hard things.”
✨ “I’m allowed to have bad days.”
✨ “I’m proud of the effort I’m putting in.”
Self-Talk Is a Form of Self-Care
You can eat vegetables, get your steps in, and go to bed on time—but if your internal dialogue is constantly tearing you down, you’re still not giving yourself the care you deserve.
The goal isn’t to become your biggest hype person overnight—it’s simply to stop being your own worst critic.
Every time you choose a kinder word, you’re choosing self-love.
💬 Next Up:
In our final post of the series, we’ll talk about why rest isn’t something you have to earn—and how to give yourself permission to slow down.
