mental and emotional wellness
Discover actionable steps on how to stop negative thinking and break free from self-doubt, overthinking, and fear. This guide will help you shift your mindset and embrace self-compassion for lasting change.
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a loop of negative thoughts? You replay conversations, wonder if you’re good enough, and feel like you’re falling behind—especially when you scroll through social media or compare yourself to others. It’s frustrating, right? You know you’re capable of more, but these negative thoughts hold you back. You’re not alone—this struggle is something many people face. On the bright side: You can break free from these thoughts. This post is a step-by-step guide to help you shift your mindset and stop negative thinking once and for all.
Negative thinking isn’t just about having a bad day or feeling down every now and then. It’s when your mind constantly spins stories of self-doubt, fear, and worst-case scenarios. It might sound like this: “I can’t do this,” “I’m not good enough,” or “What if I fail?” These thoughts can hold you back, impacting your self-esteem, productivity, and overall happiness. They’re often driven by self-doubt, fear of failure, or even past experiences. The more you entertain these thoughts, the stronger the cycle becomes.
So why does this happen? The psychology behind negative thinking often ties into past experiences, insecurities, or the brain’s natural tendency to focus on potential threats (this helped our ancestors survive, but it doesn’t always serve us in today’s world). In modern life, negative thinking is often fueled by fear of failure, judgment from others, feelings of powerlessness, and embarrassment—especially during times of uncertainty or when life feels out of our control.
Negative thoughts can be tricky to identify at first, but once you start recognizing them and what triggers them the most, you can begin working through them and creating a mental shift over time. Here are some common signs to look out for:
These patterns are all signs that negative thinking is creeping in. This way of thinking is common today and often stops us in our tracks from reaching our potential, achieving our goals, and living a truly fulfilling life.
I’ve definitely had my fair share of negative thinking. For me, it was all about overcoming self-doubt and my lack of confidence. Gosh, if you were here, we’d be up all night drinking sage tea, chatting away about my journey—everything I had to work through to break free from negative self-talk.
There was a time when I was constantly stuck in my own head, wondering if anything I did was right, wrong, or even made sense. It was this overwhelming feeling of being lost—like I was just floating through life, trying to figure it all out. I kept asking myself those deep, existential questions about fulfilment, and honestly? It often made me feel like an alien on earth!
But here’s what I had to do to overcome this great mountain of negative thinking: I started speaking my thoughts out loud.
Every day, for years throughout my early twenties, I would voice these thoughts—no matter how negative or uncomfortable they felt. At first, it was just a way to get them out of my system, but over time, I noticed something shift. Speaking them out loud made me hear them differently, almost as if they weren’t as powerful as they felt in my head. Eventually, curiosity replaced doubt, and little sparks of inspiration started to form.
This shift happened so naturally that I almost didn’t notice it. But looking back, I realise that small habit changed everything. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but it was the first step toward rewiring my mindset.
Reframing is all about changing the story you tell yourself. Instead of letting negative thoughts control your mind, you view them as opportunities for growth. It’s about questioning their truth and replacing them with more balanced, positive alternatives.
Affirmations are positive, empowering statements that challenge negative thinking. Repeating them helps train your brain to believe in your potential.
Think about your struggles and create affirmations that address them. For example:
Repeat these affirmations daily, letting them become part of your belief system. Changing your mindset takes time. Be patient with yourself and recognise that progress isn’t always linear. Celebrate even the smallest victories along the way.
Shifting your mindset is a journey, not a destination. Negative thinking happens to everyone, but you have the power to change it. Be kind to yourself along the way. Progress might be slow, but every step forward counts.
So take a deep breath, give yourself permission to slow down, and remember: You’re exactly where you need to be. Trust that the path will unfold as it’s meant to, one step at a time.
Ready to Shift Your Mindset? Download my free worksheet and start taking meaningful steps toward a more positive, confident you!
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A few years ago, I found myself overwhelmed, searching for deeper meaning. My curiosity about the world often left me with more questions than answers. As I moved through different seasons of life, I started connecting the dots and gaining clarity on who I am and what I wanted in life.
One pivotal moment caused me to pause, reflect, and ask myself: What does a fulfilling life look like for me? Embracing that realisation sparked a life-changing commitment to personal growth, which ultimately led me to create By Raina L.
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