Do not let the negatives win.

We are all familiar with those alien thoughts that creep in sometimes. It usually starts with a worry or a memory of a sad event, thoughts that steal our joy in the present moment.

I have been thinking a lot about where these thoughts come from, maybe self-doubt, maybe something someone said that stuck way longer than it should have. And the weirdest part? Half the time, they’re not even true. But we still let them sit rent-free in our heads.

Can we try something different, like catching those thoughts before they settle? Instead of letting them take over, let’s remind ourselves of the little wins, the things we have actually done right. And honestly? It helps. Shifting our focus to these victories can make a difference because our thoughts bleed into our actions. We must put up a fight by treating ourselves with kindness and remembering our worth, focusing our minds on things that uplift us.

It’s kind of like that quote, "You cannot prevent birds from flying over your head, but you can certainly prevent them from building a nest in your hair." This reminds us that while we cannot stop negative thoughts from entering our minds, we can choose not to let them settle and take root.

So, what are we choosing to let in today?

Olise Esther from MANI.