Not a super flexy slender Yoga chick talks "the Power of WhatYouThink"

How do you talk to yourself when nobody is listening? Would you speak to others the way you speak to yourself?

Chances are, when you look in the mirror, the first thing you notice is what you do not like. Maybe it is your hair deciding to audition for a 1980s music video or that tiny wrinkle you are convinced grew overnight. When you make a mistake, even a harmless one, you are quick to judge. You might call yourself names or say things you would never dream of saying to someone else (unless you were trying to get uninvited from a family gathering). And when you fall short of a goal, instead of offering support or compassion, you pile on more criticism.

We do not often realize it, but we spend most of our time in conversation with ourselves. And the tone of that conversation matters more than we realize. The brain does not distinguish between truth and fiction. It simply takes in what it “hears” and builds from there. Whatever you tell it repeatedly, it believes. And once it believes, it begins to look for evidence to support that belief. So it might be time to stop saying “I am crazy”.... 

The thoughts you think, the words you hear, the content you watch, the environment you surround yourself with, it is all going in. Scary movies that leave you anxious, intense thrillers filled with violence, aggressive music packed with profanity, negative conversations full of complaints and gossip: your brain is absorbing all of it, and it does not just disappear. It lingers. It affects how you feel, how you act, and even how you treat yourself.

But here is the good news. The same is true in the other direction. The brain is not fixed. It is changeable, adaptable, and incredibly responsive. Thanks to something called neuroplasticity, you can rewire your brain. You can change its chemistry, its biology, and even, to some degree, its physical structure. And you do not need anything external to do it. You can begin with thoughts alone.

It starts with small choices, like brushing your teeth with the opposite hand (yes, it will feel weird and you might end up looking like a toddler trying to eat spaghetti for the first time). Or taking a different route to work. Or pausing to breathe before reacting. These small acts may seem insignificant, but they signal to your brain that change is happening. They activate new areas, encourage new connections, and gently break old, automatic patterns. And yes, they might be uncomfortable.

You are the one in charge of yourself. That includes your body, your thoughts, your feelings, your actions, and your decisions. So why not start by replacing the negative self-talk with something more supportive? What if you began your day by saying something kind to yourself, even if it felt awkward? Yes, it might feel strange at first. A part of you might argue that it is pointless, that it will not work, that it is too late. But what have you got to lose?

Every time you do something that goes against your usual habits, or something that requires effort, you activate the anterior midcingulate cortex. This part of the brain is responsible for willpower, persistence, and long-term growth. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. New neural pathways begin to form, the old ones weaken. You are literally reshaping your brain, reprogramming your patterns, stepping into your potential. We could say that you are becoming your own superhero 🦸.

How does this show up in everyday life? You might notice yourself reacting more calmly in situations that used to trigger you. You might find that you are less judgmental, more curious, and more forgiving. You might feel more grounded where you used to feel overwhelmed. Slowly, your emotions no longer hold power over you and that is a winner.

Maybe tomorrow morning you can humor me. When you wake up, after you stretch your precious body, go to the mirror, look into your own eyes, and say something KIND to yourself. Bonus points if you wink.

Let me know how that went 😊