Self-Talk

1. On Self-Talk:
   • “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” — Brené Brown
   • “The way you speak to yourself matters.” — Unknown
2. On Writing:
   • “Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those, who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic fear which is inherent in a human situation.” — Graham Greene
   • “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” — William Wordsworth
3. On Personal Growth and Self-Understanding:
   • “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” — Aristotle
   • “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” — Buddha
4. On Clarity and Decision Making:
   • “Clarity precedes success.” — Robin Sharma
   • “The clearer you are about who you are, the clearer you are about what you need to be happy.” — Roy T. Bennett
5. On Peace of Mind:
   • “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” — Buddha
   • “Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax.” — Bryant McGill

I have a habit of self-talk, often finding myself conversing with various objects around me, like my laptop, computer, and phone. Especially when I’m boiling milk, I stay nearby because it tends to boil over and make a mess in the kitchen, particularly after I’ve cleaned it thoroughly. In those moments, milk feels like my biggest enemy.

Many people suggest speaking affirmations in the morning, and I have a habit of self-talk. When I do this, I say out loud as if talking to someone. If my parents see me doing this in the morning, they often ask if I’m still asleep and tell me to go back to bed.

Another habit of mine is writing things down. I document what’s going on in my mind, which feelings bother me most, and which thoughts are imaginary. Some thoughts are impractical, often influenced by movies and TV shows. I create stories and think about what I would do in those situations. To maintain peace of mind, I’ve started avoiding things that disrupt my mental peace, like toxic friends, relatives, and cousins.

Now, I either talk to myself or write things down. Writing gives me great clarity about good, practical, or imaginary thoughts. These two habits—self-talk and writing—help me process everything I feel emotionally and mentally. Afterwards, I can make the right decisions. Through this process, I’ve become my own best friend. I don’t mind if no one listens to me because I listen to myself without judgment and with complete understanding.