How to Overcome Negative Self-Talk and Embrace Your Skin
Negative self-talk can be defined as critical, negative thoughts about yourself. These thoughts are so automatic and ingrained that you may not even realize you have them. Negative self-talk can hugely impact self-esteem and mental health, making it difficult to feel safe and happy in your own skin.
Negative self-talk is especially important for those with skin issues. Our skin is often the first thing people notice about us, and skin issues like redness, acne, scars, etc. can cause a lot of self-consciousness and embarrassment.
It’s not uncommon to feel uncomfortable with your skin or have negative thoughts about your appearance. We can easily get caught up in a cycle of negative self-talk that focuses on our flaws and imperfections and criticizes us for not having perfect skin.
The good news is that we can break this cycle of negative self-talk and learn to embrace our skin. It explores how skin appears and strategies for overcoming it. We also discuss the importance of embracing and embracing your skin, regardless of its imperfections.
What Causes Negative Self-Talk?
We see beautiful models and people almost every day on social media. We wish we had their body, their skin, hair,… and so on…
Seeing such fake beauty everywhere makes us feel low about ourselves and we often forget the fact that no one has perfect skin or body or hair… Fake beauty standards make you lose your confidence, fake your appearance, and make you feel like you are not beautiful enough no matter what you do.
You do not own your skin and wear a lot of makeup to cover everything up because of the lack of confidence these fake beauty standards created. Yes, it is sad and sounds harsh but isn’t it true?
Realize that the models wear a lot of makeup, making their skin sensitive and they even get breakouts. They blow dry and style their hair, making their hair fragile and horrible in real life. We do not see that people are taking photos with filters on them. 99.99% of people do not have flawless skin.
You talk to one person the most in your entire life. And that one person is YOU. So treat yourself kindly.
If you struggle with negative skin-related self-talk, know that you are not alone. With the right tools and attitude, you can free yourself from negative thoughts and recognize and accept your skin for what it is.
Understanding Negative Self-Talk:
When we have negative thoughts about our skin, we may start to believe that there is something wrong with us, that we are not good enough, or that we are not attractive.
The cycle of negative self-talk and shame can be difficult to break. It can be hard to see things differently once we start to believe the negative thoughts we have about our skin. We may start to look for evidence to support our negative thoughts, rather than looking at the positive aspects.
We may also start to avoid certain situations or people, in order to avoid feeling self-conscious or ashamed of our skin. This can lead to isolation, which can further fuel negative self-talk and feelings of inadequacy.
The cycle of negative self-talk and shame can also be self-perpetuating because the more we focus on our flaws, the more we feel self-conscious about them. Which will automatically lead our brain to more negative thoughts and feelings. This is why it’s important to learn how to recognize negative self-talk, and to develop strategies for breaking the cycle.
Identifying Negative Self-talk:
Here are some example phrases of the negativity we talk about ourselves:
“My skin is so blemished and uneven, everyone must think of me as an unattractive person.“
“I can’t believe I have so many wrinkles, I must look old and tired.”
“I won‘t leave the house without makeup, I can’t let others see my bad skin.”
“Wish I had perfect skin like her, why can’t I have nice skin like her.”
“I’ll never be able to get clear skin, I’ve tried everything.”
These thoughts can be hard to recognize because they can feel like facts. However, it’s important to remember that just because we have a thought, it doesn’t mean it’s true. It is all in our head. Our mindset can change our lives.
Here are some tips on how to recognize and identify negative self-talk when it arises:
1- Notice what you feel:
Notice when you are feeling self-conscious or ashamed about your skin. These feelings can be a sign that you’re having negative thoughts.
2- Identify your thoughts:
Pay attention to your thoughts. Notice when you’re having negative thoughts about your skin, and try to identify the specific thoughts.
3- Change perspective:
Challenge the thoughts. Ask yourself, “Is this thought really true?” or “Is there another way to look at this?”
4- Be mindful:
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, making it easier to recognize negative self-talk when it arises, then change the thought to something positive.
By recognizing and identifying negative self-talk, we can start to challenge and reframe these thoughts, which can help to break the cycle of negative self-talk and shame.
Strategies To Overcome Negative Self-talk:
Once you have learned to recognize and identify negative self-talk, the next step is to develop strategies for overcoming it. Here are a few strategies for reframing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones:
1- Practice self-compassion:
Treat yourself with the same kindness, compassion, and understanding that you would offer to a close friend of yours. Remind yourself that it’s completely normal to have flaws and imperfections. Everyone has them. You deserve to be treated with compassion and understanding.
Reframe negative thoughts: When you notice a negative thought, try to reframe it in a more positive way. For example, instead of saying “I have so many wrinkles, I must look old and tired”, you could say “I have wrinkles, but they are a sign of a life well-lived and I am so grateful for them.”
2- Change perspective:
Ask yourself, “Is this thought really true?” or “Is there another way to look at this?” This can help you to see things in a more balanced and realistic way. There is no limit to a perspective. You choose how to view certain things in life.
Here is a very good example of perspective:
3- Practice gratitude:
Take some time each day to think about all the things in your body that you are grateful for, and focus on the positive aspects of your life. Your skin can feel warmth, your skin protects you against the environment, your skin can feel sensations, and do much more…
4- Change beauty standards:
Change the way you get inspired by beauty on social media. Find real people or images that inspire you, and remind yourself that beauty comes in many different forms.
Look for role models who embrace their natural beauty, such as actresses, models, or public figures who are known for their natural beauty and minimal makeup.
Try to recall the point in life when you felt beautiful and confident in your natural appearance, and try to replicate those feelings in this present moment.
5- Stop comparing yourself:
Stop trying to meet other people’s beauty standards. Most of the self-damage is done by comparing ourselves with other people. We do not know what others are going through. Maybe they have really bad skin but they cover everything up before showing off.
No one can define how you should look like. You need to have your own beauty standards. Stopping to meet what others demand will instantly boost your confidence.
6- Get support:
Talk to a friend or a family member about your negative thoughts and get support in overcoming them. Your good friends will tell you that things are not as bad as you are perceiving them.
Practical Tips to Embrace Yourself:
Here are some practical tips and techniques to help you feel more confident in your daily life:
1- Keep a journal:
Write down your negative thoughts as they arise. After you have written all your thoughts down, read them out. Then reframe them in a more positive perspective and write them down.
2- Use positive affirmations:
Repeat positive affirmations to yourself, such as “I am beautiful and worthy.” Because everyone is!
3- Take care of your skin:
Having a skincare routine is very important. Taking care of your skin will make you feel confident and you will feel more confident without covering your skin with makeup.
Start with a minimum skincare routine. Read about having a Minimum, Simple & Effective Skincare Routine (For All Skin Types) . Know your ingredients, and stay connected with the skincare community.
Also, make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a balanced and nutritious diet, and drinking lots of water to hydrate yourself.
To Conclude:
- It’s important to remember that it’s a process and it may take time to learn how to recognize and identify negative self-talk.
- Be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek help if needed.
- Beauty is random. No one has the right to define your beauty standards.
Click Here To Read more about How To Practise Self Skin Love
