Hearing Your Own Voice by John Stuart
What happens when someone tells us something over and over? Sometimes these words get down into our soul and we believe what they tell us. Sometimes it's negative. People say things like “you aren’t worth anything” or even worse. We start believing that and telling ourselves the same thing. But If we tell ourselves positive things the same thing can happen. We will start to believe that! Let’s dive into this together!
Words Spoken To Us Over & Over Become Our Truth
It's a powerful thing, the repetition of words. They creep into our subconscious, gently weaving themselves into the fabric of our beliefs and perceptions. With each echo, they reinforce an idea, an image, or a concept of who we are or what the world around us is like. It's as if with enough repetition, these words build a home within us, becoming a truth we live by, sometimes without even questioning.
Hearing Our Own Voice, Our Brains Will Believe More
When those repeated words are in our own voice, they carry an extra weight of authenticity. It's like our brain sits up and pays special attention. "This is me speaking, so it must be true," it seems to say. This is why affirmations spoken aloud can be so powerful. When we hear our own voice affirming something positive about ourselves, our brains are more likely to accept that as reality.
Our brains have a unique way of processing information, especially when it comes to the sound of our own voice. When we speak, our brain is not just processing the words we say but also the tone, inflection, and emotion behind those words. This makes the messages we convey to ourselves even more potent.
This phenomenon is linked to the concept of self-affirmation. When we affirm something in our own voice, our brain perceives it as more credible because it's coming from a trusted source - ourselves. It's like having an internal validation system that gives more weight to what we tell ourselves than what others might say.
This is why practices such as positive self-talk or verbalizing personal goals can be so effective.
When we hear our own voice stating something positively about ourselves or our abilities, our brain is more likely to accept it as truth. It's a form of cognitive restructuring where we can shape our mindset and beliefs through the power of our own voice.
However, we need to remember this can work both ways. Negative self-talk can also have a profound impact on our self-perception and mental health. Therefore, it's crucial to be mindful of the language we use when talking to ourselves, ensuring it's constructive and supportive.
In essence, hearing our own voice can significantly influence our belief system. By harnessing this power, we can potentially steer our thoughts and emotions towards positivity and growth.
Talking To Ourselves is NOT a Bad Thing
So, let's squash the stigma that talking to ourselves is the first sign of being crazy—it's far from it. Engaging in self-talk can be incredibly beneficial. It can help us process thoughts, reinforce our own beliefs, and talk ourselves through challenging situations. As long as the chatter is positive and constructive, having an internal dialogue is not just okay, it's actually good for our mental health.
Repetition of words, especially in our own voice, can significantly shape our beliefs and perceptions. This is why self-affirmations are powerful; our brains tend to believe what we affirm about ourselves. Contrary to popular belief, talking to ourselves isn't a sign of being crazy but a beneficial practice that helps process thoughts, reinforce beliefs, and navigate challenging situations, contributing positively to our mental health.
Additional tools for when you may be in crisis:
U.S. Crisis Text Line: 741-741
Ohio Mobile Response and Stabilization Services: 1-888-418-MRSS (6777)