Positive self-talk helps me stay motivated when I need it
When I have down days, repeating affirmations can get me moving again
Last week, I fully intended to write a new “Living Well With ALS” column. I sat down, flipped open my laptop, gazed out the window, and got lost in a stare. As the minutes ticked by, my computer screen finally clicked off, my mind blanked out, and I had to admit I wasn’t feeling motivated to write anything at all.
Actually, I hadn’t been feeling inspired for the past few days. This feeling wasn’t a new symptom of my ALS. Instead, it was facing the world stuff, online stuff, and all the extra stuff beyond my ALS that was pulling me from my usually positive mindset.
Even though some people perceive that I don’t experience “off” days, I do. We all do. However, I’ve also learned that when the road gets bumpy and more is spiraling up ahead, I need to give myself permission to retreat — and then, employ simple self-talk strategies to get me moving forward again.
Fantasy mornings
During the first months following my ALS diagnosis, I used to wake up every morning with the same fantasy swirling in my mind: Overnight, through some magical intervention, I’d wish and hope that all my weak muscles and faltering coordination had disappeared. That I’d wake up and discover my body healed, making me able to move normally again.
Well, there were only so many mornings of realizing my wish hadn’t come true before the gloomy feeling colored the rest of my day. My motivation was at zero.
Nevertheless, a little alarm kept sounding off in the back of my brain, reminding me that I needed to change my first thoughts from fantasy to truth. But in a gentle way. Here’s the strategy that helped me.
Use simple words
It may initially feel hokey, but I’m hooked on repeating positive affirmations while I wake up. The goal is to counteract any negative self-talk that I might fall into. I’ve used the phrases “just be,” “own the moment,” and “seize the day.” My favorite phrase is “I am happy, I am healthy, I am fit, I am successful.”
Affirmations aren’t just for the morning. I depend on them throughout the day, especially for the times I hit a mental speed bump or feel the ALS walls closing in around me.
What worked last week to help me feel motivated and get writing again? All of them! I mentally chanted one affirmation after another until it felt like a never-ending song.
If you ever feel stuck or uninspired, start your morning with a positive thought. It’s one more way we can help ourselves learn to live well while living with ALS.
Note: ALS News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ALS News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ALS.
About the Author
Leave a comment
Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.