• more about #positiveselftalk
    Ultraprison!: I'm from the Tim Gunn school of positive self-talk: every time I'm up against a tough situation, I tell myself "make it work." Actually, kind of shock... more »
    WantToTouchtheWahine: Also, if I were a participant in this study, and the person told me I had to tell myself I was lovable 16 times in 4 minutes, I'd be frickin' ANNOYED.... more »
    WantToTouchtheWahine: OK, here's my take, as a budding mental health professional... In addition to what you fabulous ladies have mentioned, I think positive self-talk gets... more »
    TheFormerJuneBronson: I hate to admit this, but I've always thought that positive self talk, as a stand-alone therapy, was for the stupid. If you have internal resources at... more »
    Rare Affinity: Third parties giving positive feedback usually don't immediately undermine their message with criticism. more »
    labeled: Best tip for feeling better about, well, everything: Smile. It changes your brain chemistry and tricks you into being happier. Count me in the manipu... more »
    battleaxonista...is a humorless bitch: I think that only works if you negate your negative thought with something positive, that you actually believe . When I fuck something up I don't go ... more »
    SevenNationArmy: Does this mean I finally get to be on Girls with low self-esteem?! more »
    Ailanthus-altissima: I have never tried positive self talk. Instead, I make others compliment me using an intricate web of threats and emotional manipulation. more »
    clairedeloony: My mom's side of the family is totally into excessive praise. It weirds me out. No, I do NOT look stunningly fabulous in my Christmas-at-Grandma's swe... more »
    greengrey: Positive self talk is such bull shit. When you feel bad, just drink. Whatever happened to drinking? more »
    BearDownCBears: Duly noted, but I'm gonna have to throw this out as a counterexample: + Watch video more »
    Penny: "Positive" talk makes me feel like a doof, because it's fake. I've found it's much better to put myself in perspective. Like, "hey, you hate your jo... more »
    tallgirl-in-heels: This is similar to why I've always thought the "you get a trophy just for showing up" theory of instilling good self-esteem in kids was troublesome. G... more »
    LindsayC: doctoral hilarity ensues: Fans of Red Dwarf already knew this: more »
    Mary McCarthyite: When I'm in a funk, I cry, curl up in the fetal position, and berate myself. It actually seems to make me feel better, eventually. more »
    lilbobbytables: I just feel weird when I do super positive self talk. I stick with "really, you're not so bad" and the like. On the other hand, I have supremely long ... more »
    LolaQuinn is full of beans: Yeah, this is not surprising. Positive self-talk is about as effective as the therapist I once had who, after hearing that I feel like strangers on th... more »
    Ailatan: How can anyone not love me? It boggles my mind. more »
    save jinger: I think I'm awesome, and people who disagree are just jealous haters! more »
  • #leggomyego

    Positive Self-Talk Makes People Feel Worse

    Perhaps unsurprisingly for anyone who's ever tried to pull herself out of a funk by chanting affirmations at her mirror, such positive self-talk might actually lower some people's self-esteem. More »