To be more precise, the thing distinguishing positive and negative self-talk is not so much the factual content of the thoughts but the interpretation of situations. That interpretation carries an emotional valence, a positive or negative valuation, and an orientation toward action, passive or active, constructive or dysfunctional. It’s extremely helpful to remember that most of our thoughts, positive or negative, are subjective. There’s no fact to them. Since it’s not a matter of true or false, the important question about self-talk then is: Is it lifting you up or keeping you down?
