self talk
Mental voice conversation
Self talk is the internal dialogue you carry on with yourself—the running commentary in your head that interprets experiences, offers encouragement, or delivers criticism.
Psychologists distinguish between positive self talk (You've got this) and negative self talk (You always mess things up), noting that patterns of the latter correlate with anxiety and depression.
Also written as one word or hyphenated.
Returned light or thought
- inner dialogueSilent conversation with oneself
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- metacognitionAwareness of own reasoning
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
inner voice · journaling · inner monologue · thoughtfulness · consciousness
Affirming or certain
- mantraRepeated focus phrase
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
uplifting · belief · optimism · gratitude · worthiness · acceptance · praise · reassurance
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- doubtLack of firm belief
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
overthinking · rumination · apprehension · unease · panic · dread · catastrophizing · inner critic
Awareness of the present
- mantraRepeated focus phrase
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
presence · calmness · centering · stillness · quietude · equanimity · guided imagery · visualization
Support spurring continued effort
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- driveOperate a vehicle
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
goal-setting · empowerment · resilience · grit · willpower · accountability · pumping up · psyching up
Arranging for future events
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
- prioritizationRanking by importance
preparation · reasoning · reframing · coping · mental rehearsal · evaluation · adaptation
reflection
Returned light or thought
- inner dialogueSilent conversation with oneself
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- metacognitionAwareness of own reasoning
mindfulness · inner voice · journaling · inner monologue · thoughtfulness · consciousness
positive
Affirming or certain
- mantraRepeated focus phrase
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
validation · uplifting · belief · optimism · gratitude · worthiness · acceptance · praise · reassurance · hopeful
worry
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- doubtLack of firm belief
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
nervousness · overthinking · rumination · apprehension · unease · panic · dread · catastrophizing · inner critic · spiraling
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
awareness · presence · calmness · centering · stillness · quietude · equanimity · guided imagery · visualization · body scan
encouragement
Support spurring continued effort
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
- driveOperate a vehicle
- determinationFirmness of purpose
perseverance · goal-setting · empowerment · resilience · grit · willpower · accountability · pumping up · psyching up · can-do
planning
Arranging for future events
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
prioritization · preparation · reasoning · reframing · coping · mental rehearsal · evaluation · adaptation
- self-helpadvice, personal development, personal growth, life coaches, life coaching
- coping skillscoping skills, coping strategies, coping mechanisms, emotional regulation, impulse control
- psyching uppsyching up, bracing, mustering, fortifying, emboldening
self talkdialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
conversation · public speaking · discourse · group discussion · discussion
self, talk, selves, selfish, selfless, selfhood, myself, yourself, himself