The Turnaround: Your relationship with yourself

The turnaround is closer than you think. If you’re feeling down or even confused, confront yourself before you start confronting others. Maybe you’ve heard the rumors: “There’s nothing with talking to yourself. But when you start answering back, it’s time to worry.” We couldn’t disagree more.

Internal dialogue is not only normal, but it’s inevitable. And the conversation you’re having with yourself affects all of your relationships and the trajectory of every single day. We’ve personally taken inventory of our self-talk and it’s paying off in our quality of life. But it’s tricky because it’s so automatic. The first decision was to be aware because you can’t change what you don’t notice.

When you find yourself feeling depressed, angry, anxious, or upset, it’s time to reflect, and it’s the perfect time to choose life. The people around you will be thankful because when we get down in the dumps it results in selfish choices simply because you can’t get beyond your feelings.  

Our internal dialogue tends to bring interpretation to specific situations. Recognizing that your current way of thinking may be self-defeating and preventing you from getting what you want out of life and relationships is enough motivation to get hyper-aware. Ready to get started?

First, challenge the reality of what’s going on

What evidence do I have that what I’m thinking is true?

Are my thoughts based on facts or my interpretation?

Am I jumping to negative conclusions?

What’s a loving way I could find out if my thoughts are true?

Secondly, offer some alternatives

Are there new ways I could look at this situation?

What is the thing I’m not fully understanding?

If I were being completely positive, how would I perceive this?

Thirdly, put on a new perspective

Is this situation as bad as I’m making it out to be?

What’s the worst thing that could happen?

What’s the best thing that could happen?

What’s most likely to happen?

Will this matter in five years?

Is there something I can learn from this?

Faithful and Faith

Maybe you’ve been faithful. Maybe you’ve been showing up whether you feel like it or not. Well, now it’s time to add faith to your faithful. Let go of your negative and sad conversation with yourself. Nobody can do this for you...you have the power to “change the channel.” Involving faith invites GOD into your inner dialogue and hope is ready to infiltrate your situation,  

Back when we grew up in the 70s, our TVs were little boxes in the corner of the room that had big knobs to change the channel. It was often an internal dialogue to decide whether it was worth standing up, getting off the couch, and consider a different option. Imagine that there are several “channels” in your thought process, and you can get up and change them whenever you muster the energy to get out of your comfort zone and deal.  

Do you see someone who loves their life? Instead of trying to do what they’re doing or get what they’ve got, start thinking as they think. Experience turnaround in yourself, and watch your relationships level up to new heights of hope.  

Hear more about this topic on Episode 93 of All About Relationships Podcast with Bob and Audrey.