One of the biggest problems I see mediums struggle with is negative self-talk. Time and again, I remind students to stop thinking negatively. You’re caught up in a cycle. You know the one. You’ve been doubting your abilities as a medium for a while. Every thought in your mind points out your perceived flaws and mistakes, making you feel like you’re going to go crazy from listening to it if you haven’t already.
Negative self-talk can be this insidious. It gets in your head, courtesy of previous experiences and negative input from people who might not understand your path. Once there, it plays the same song on repeat, growing worse with every retelling until you quit trying. Your spiritual connections stall out, and you find yourself questioning your gifts.
How do you Stop Negative Self-talk?
It’s time to take your power back and put an end to the negative self-talk once and for all. Once you tackle it, watch your connection with Spirit expand, and mediumship suddenly isn’t as difficult as before. Easier said than done? Not necessarily. Try these things:
Just Stop
The only way to get rid of a negative thought is to consciously put a halt to it. Once you’ve gone through these steps, tell yourself to stop when the idea comes up again, and keep telling it to stop until it goes away completely. Give yourself grace; you will slip up at times. It is the conscious effort that will get you the results you desire.
If this thought is one which comes around often, what is the new thought you want to replace it with? How can you make this thought a habit? Consider this: the more you react in a new way to an old stimulus, the quicker a new habit is formed, and the old reaction disappears.
What is the positive counterpoint to this thought? For example, if you’re worried about your ability to connect with spirits, remind yourself of a time when you successfully conveyed a meaningful message. Reflect on moments when your mediumship brought comfort or insight to someone.
Believe in Yourself and Trust Your Inner Guidance
Believing in yourself is crucial. Trust that your inner guidance is leading you correctly. Your intuition and spiritual insights are gifts that have brought you this far. Embrace them with confidence. When negative thoughts arise, remind yourself of your successes and the unique qualities that make you an exceptional medium.
Find the Calm
You can’t combat anything when you’re overly emotional and overwhelmed mentally. Find a quiet place and sit down to take a few deep breaths. If you can, meditate or try a mindfulness exercise until you can reach a peaceful place internally. Don’t avoid the negative thought. Listen to it. What is it saying? Whose voice does it sound like?
Ask yourself what the thought represents. Where did this come from? Is this from an expectation you put on yourself at some point, or does it come from someone else entirely?
Drop the Unreasonable Expectation
Are you trying too hard to be perfect in some regard? Is there a more reasonable expectation you can put on yourself in place of this thought? When in doubt; seek support of a Development Circle.
You don’t have to listen to negativity, but sometimes it becomes so firmly entrenched you might have trouble dislodging it by yourself. When this happens, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talking to a trusted friend, fellow medium, or counselor can help you lay this negative chatter to rest once and for all.
Remember, your journey as a medium is unique, and overcoming negative self-talk is a crucial step in realizing your full potential. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll find yourself more confident and connected than ever.
