It’s Time to Thrive!

I’ve read a ton of self-help books—seriously, I’m in desperate need of my own Beauty and the Beast library. No matter when these books were published, who wrote them, or how catchy their titles are, they all seem to agree on one thing: we are what we think we are. Even the Bible says it! Let me repeat that:

We are a byproduct of our thoughts!

This fact hit me hard when I first realized it. Why? Because my mind was constantly spinning with overthinking, worry, and doubt. Negative thoughts were my daily companions. And then I came across the idea that “as a man thinks, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). I am my thoughts. Unfortunately for my past self, this wasn’t good news. My mind was filled with self-criticism, fear, and uncertainty. Every morning, my first thought would tear me down instead of building me up, and I wasn’t even aware I was doing it! It had become a habit—one I wasn’t even conscious of.

But here’s the thing about habits: they can be broken. Realizing that negative self-talk was a habit was a turning point for me. We often define ourselves by our faults, but really, we just need to become more mindful of our inner dialogue and begin practicing ways to break the cycle. Negative self-talk is just that—a cycle. And the good news is, you can change it.

Once I recognized that I was feeding myself these negative thoughts, I began to ask, “Why am I identifying with these lies?” The enemy of your mind loves to keep you trapped in doubt, fear, and insecurity. Why? Because they don’t want to see you grow, thrive, or realize your full potential. But the moment you start changing your thoughts from “I can’t” to “I can” from “I’m not enough” to “I am enough,” your entire world begins to shift.

If you’re like me and have struggled with worry and fear, I highly recommend checking out my posts, Letting Go of Worry and Living Freely and 10 Bible Verses to Help You Let Go of Worry. It was a crucial part of my journey to freeing myself from those negative thought patterns and finding peace.

Take my blog, for example. I had wanted to start it for years. But every time I thought about it, I convinced myself I wasn’t good enough to do it. I’d think, “I’m not a good writer. No one will read this. Who am I to give advice?” And guess what? That’s what I became—someone who didn’t start because I believed I couldn’t. But when I finally shifted my mindset to I am capable, I am a good writer, and I have something valuable to share, I gained the courage to actually start. And that’s the key: you are a byproduct of your thoughts.

The first step in changing your life is to change the way you think. Every single self-help book I’ve read has echoed this truth. Regardless of the author’s background, beliefs, or the book’s target audience, the message remains the same: You are exactly what you think you are. So start thinking in terms of I am capable, I am deserving, I am enough. Tell yourself what you need to hear to push past the fear that’s holding you back.

Ask yourself: What thoughts are keeping me from flourishing? Once you identify them, you can begin breaking them down one by one. Your mind may be comfortable in its negativity because it’s a habit, but habits can change. You can just as easily start speaking life into yourself as you’ve been speaking negativity. And yes, I said life, because if you’re not speaking life, you’re speaking death into your potential. It may sound dramatic, but it’s true.

We are all beautifully and wonderfully made. No two people are alike, and that’s a gift. Yet, we constantly compare ourselves to others, which fuels our negative self-talk. This comparison becomes the root of so many lies we tell ourselves: I’m not good enough, I’ll never measure up, I’m not like that person. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be like anyone else. You have your own unique talents and gifts to offer the world. It’s time to stop living in your head and start living in your purpose.

So, what thoughts will you change today to start living in the fullness of who you’re meant to be?

Let’s Connect!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post and how you’re working to break the habit of negative self-talk! Have you struggled with shifting your mindset? What positive affirmations are you using to replace those old doubts? Let’s share and encourage each other on this journey.

Feel free to drop a comment below, or connect with me on social media! You can also sign up for my newsletter to get more tips and encouragement straight to your inbox. We’re in this together, and I can’t wait to see how you flourish!