10 Negative Common Thoughts and How to Replace Them

Note: This article is based on the blog post by Kirstin O'Donovan, in which we discussed her experience in dealing with negative thoughts.

I'll never forget when I realised how much our self-talk limits our potential, how it directly impacts every part of our lives, and that we can be our worst enemies. Like most people, I was not aware of this simple concept. 

When I finally understood this, I literally felt as though I had won the lottery because I could finally let go of my negative thoughts and realise that they were just limitations I had placed on myself rather than actual facts.

Negative Thoughts and How to Replace Them

I've discovered over the last ten years that we have a lot of negative ideas in common. The following are some of the most common negative thoughts that we should all try to replace: 

1. I'm not good enough

Feeling inadequate leads to self-pity and low confidence, which are related to low self-esteem. Everyone is, in fact, good enough.

You might not have the skills or tools to achieve what you want right now, but you are good enough and deserve what you want.

If a 100$ falls into a mud puddle, does it lose its value? Of course not. So, why do you feel like you lose your value based on what you have done in life?

Don't limit yourself and embrace this new positive mindset: “I am worthy of everything I want in this life, just like everyone else.”

2. I can't do it

“I can't” is one of the most limiting statements you can say to yourself. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right.” If you tell yourself that you cannot do something, you will send messages to your mind that you cannot do it, which will inevitably reflect on your experience.

Your brain won't try its best if you already tell it it can't do something. So, embrace this new positive mindset: "I can do anything I put my mind to.”

3. I am not as lucky as others

This idea usually stems from the illusion that other people’s lives are better and they are luckier, which separates you from them. Nothing is perfect. There is a lot of effort behind the luck you imagine.

It is very discouraging to believe that you are unlucky, which is simply not true. So, embrace this new positive mindset: “Good things can happen to me, too.”

4. I don't think I can do it at all

Your thoughts shape your reality. You shape your future every day through your choices and habits. You might lose opportunities when you restrict your thoughts. What if you believed in your desires and experiences instead?

It's not about succeeding on the first try but about striving to achieve your goal. So, don't stop before you allow yourself to achieve it. Embrace this new positive mindset: “I believe in my abilities.”

5. I should be better than I am

Using the word “should” in this context gives a negative suggestion and makes a person belittle their abilities. How often have you said, "I should be smarter, more committed, and more productive"? Do you remember how you felt immediately afterwards?

I'm sure you were not satisfied. So, set yourself goals to work on changing the things that don't satisfy you instead of telling yourself what you should be or do. Take the necessary actions and remove discouraging phrases from your vocabulary. Embrace this new positive mindset: “I am working on changing what I do not like.”

6. I'm not strong enough

It's normal to feel weak sometimes. We are all human, and every one of us feels weak from time to time. What matters is what you tell yourself afterwards. If you reinforce the fact that you don’t feel strong, what do you expect to feel?

Instead, tell yourself you are strong enough, support yourself to find the strength you need, and embrace this new positive mindset: “I am strong enough to handle this.”

7. Nobody cares about me

You might feel lonely sometimes and that no one cares about you. There are certainly people who are thinking about you without you knowing. People actually care about you, but everyone expresses their feelings differently.

It is annoying to feel that no one cares about you. So, don't focus on that and don't assume how people feel when you don't actually know. Instead, focus on something that makes you feel better and embrace this new positive mindset: "People actually care about me."

8. I'm not smart enough

This is a general and unfair judgment. Many people tend to say it and then feel bad about themselves. However, if I asked you now to mention some of your strengths, you would be able to define them accurately.

Not every person can be brilliant and perfect at everything, which is what distinguishes us as individuals. If you feel that you lack knowledge in a certain area, make time to study and learn whatever it is that you want so that you don’t feel this way any more. Embrace this new positive mindset: “I am smart, and I am learning such-and-such so that I can be proficient in this area as well.”

9. If I don't do well, I'm a failure

Setting high expectations and assessing yourself based on your performance is unfair. You won't learn unless you try. You have to take risks in life if you want to get different results. Do not be afraid of failure; the real failure lies in not trying.

So, embrace this new positive mindset: “I will try again, and I will not fear or care about failure.”

10. I should expect the worst-case scenario

Thinking negatively, in general, is anticipating the absolute worst scenario in everything. What if you expected the best-case scenario instead?

Our thoughts are very powerful. It is common to use visualisation to imagine the best scenario. Whether you imagine the worst or best scenario, this will inevitably affect the results. Stop focusing on what you fear and focus on what you want to happen. Embrace this new positive mindset: "The better will happen."

In Conclusion

We all have negative thoughts from time to time; after all, we are human. However, you limit your happiness when most of your thoughts are negative.

Our thoughts directly affect our feelings and actions. So, do not limit yourself or your abilities; control your thoughts and change your results. Whether you think you can or you can’t, you are right.