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Negatives to Positives - the power of words

The words we use affect how we feel. Small changes to the words we use when we speak and when we think can make big positive changes in our lives. Shifting to positive thinking from negative takes time and practice. Always take small steps so that the new statement is believable and acceptable by the brain. Changing "I'm useless" to "I'm useful" is too big a change and our brain will reject it instantly. But changing it to "With a kind word I can make someone feel better" is an acceptable shift. Here are some more examples as put together by our group members:
NEGATIVE
​I am useless.

​
POSITIVE
I believe in myself.
I can do some things. 
I pay attention to the little things. 
​

NEGATIVE
​​I am a failure.


​

​
POSITIVE
I'm learning to cope.
​I'm doing my best. 
​I'm learning.
I'm trying. 
​I made it to the group. 
(Any small success is worth celebrating)
​

NEGATIVE
I can't do anything right.​
​
POSITIVE
I can try to do things differently.
I looked after myself today / this morning / this evening.
​My house is clean.
​

NEGATIVE
​I am ugly / I am fat. I'm disgusting. 
​

​
POSITIVE
In my own way, I'm OK.
I am me.
I look younger than I am.
​I have a beautiful heart. 
​I give the best hugs.
​

NEGATIVE
​I can't do that. ​
POSITIVE
I'll take small steps to improve.​

NEGATIVE
​I am a burden.​



​

POSITIVE
I will smile today.
I give.
I provide stability to the family. 
​I try to be helpful.
I have a lot to offer. ​

NEGATIVE
​I can't cope with this.

​

POSITIVE
I will cook a meal.
​I'll deal with it in little bits. 
​I'll ask for help. ​

NEGATIVE
I am not good enough.​
POSITIVE
I am going to try.​

NEGATIVE
I am not good enough.​
POSITIVE
I am going to try.​

NEGATIVE
I am worthless.



​
​

POSITIVE
I do have value.
I am helpful by offering lifts to the groups.
I am fighting.
​My actions prove otherwise.
​I managed that.​

NEGATIVE
I'm hard work.

​​
POSITIVE
I'm thoughtful and think of others.
I'm a good listener.
I'm doing the best I can.
​

NEGATIVE
I'm a horrible person (to myself and others).
POSITIVE
Today I made people laugh.
I help people.
​
​

NEGATIVE
I am stupid / thick.






​

POSITIVE
I am thoughtful.
I will treat myself how I treat others.
I have depth and internal qualities.
I have skills and talents. 
I am good with others. 
I'm different. 
I'm unique. 
​I am an individual. 
​

NEGATIVE
I hate myself. ​
POSITIVE
I like... (one thing about myself). ​

NEGATIVE
​I am not liked. 
​
​

POSITIVE
I am me. Like me or not: your choice!
​Either (like me or not) is OK.​

NEGATIVE
I'm a disappointment.​​
POSITIVE
I'm ill and striving to get better.​

NEGATIVE
​I'm a disgrace. 
​
​​
POSITIVE
I've achieved what others haven't. 
I'm a survivor. 
​

NEGATIVE
Nobody likes me. 
​

​​
POSITIVE
​I have a good sense of humour and people like me for it. 
I am kind / non-judgemental and people like me. 
​I've got lasting relationships. 
​People like to spend time with me. 
​

NEGATIVE
​I didn't do well enough.​​​
POSITIVE
​I did the best I could.
I'll be kinder to myself next time.
​

NEGATIVE
I don't trust myself.​
​​
POSITIVE
​I can trust myself to make it through today.
If others trust me there must be something there. 
​

NEGATIVE
It's my fault.


​
​​
POSITIVE
​Somethings are out of my control.
I take responsibility for my own actions. 
My brain is malfunctioning, it is not my intention to cause this. 
I couldn't help it. 
​

NEGATIVE
Things will always be this bad.​​​
POSITIVE
​Things change.
Things have been better and can get better.
​

NEGATIVE
No-one cares.
​

POSITIVE
People do care but don't always show it.
I need to ask for help, not isolate myself.
​

NEGATIVE
I get everything wrong. ​
POSITIVE
I get some things right. 
I'm learning.
​

NEGATIVE
I don't deserve to be happy. ​
POSITIVE
I am capable of being happy. 
​
​

NEGATIVE
​I deserve to be suffering. I deserve punishment. 

​
​
POSITIVE
I will be kind to myself. 
I deserve freedom. 
I deserve a break. 
I deserve more. 
​I deserve help. ​​

NEGATIVE
I'm not worthy enough to be alive.​​
POSITIVE
I am needed. 
I am alive for a reason. ​

NEGATIVE
​My brain is fried. ​


​
​​
POSITIVE
​I'm struggling, it's normal, it's been a long day. 
[our brain takes statements literally. Such a statement will encourage more difficulties in thinking as the brain will think it's turned into a crisp]
"But I'm using it!"​

NEGATIVE
I deserve to hurt myself.​​​
POSITIVE
I deserve to take care of myself.
​
​

NEGATIVE
I should have done better.
​
​​​
POSITIVE
I did my best.
I did well considering the circumstances.
I tried as hard as I could. ​

NEGATIVE
Why can't I be normal?
​​​​

​

POSITIVE
F*** normal!
Everybody is unique.
I like being different. 
What even is normal anyway?​

NEGATIVE
I don't deserve...
POSITIVE
​I'm allowed to...​

NEGATIVE
I can't cope. I can't do this. 
POSITIVE
With support I can learn different coping methods. 
I can try. 
​

NEGATIVE
​I am clueless.
POSITIVE
​I am constantly learning.​

NEGATIVE
I wasted my day. I'm not doing enough
POSITIVE
I deserve rest.
​I am doing what I can​

NEGATIVE
I deserve to die.



​

POSITIVE
This is temporary.
Things can improve.
I'm needed. 
I can create a positive influence by being here. 
Don't deprive the world of the gift of you! ​
​
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Registered charity in England & Wales No 1177020 
​Registered charity in Scotland No SC052466

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Contact us
Battle Scars
Onward Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub
Onward House
Millshaw Park Way
Leeds LS11 0LS
​​email: [email protected]
for enquiries about room hire/rental: [email protected]

​Tel (information & admin line only): 07410 380747 - office hours
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Funded by:
Leeds Compassionate City Awards Health Wellbeing category winner
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charity excellence framework quality mark
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​​Website by Battle Scars
  • Home
    • About us >
      • Our vision, mission & values
      • News
      • Our reports
    • Definition of self-harm
    • Support us >
      • Become a Battle Scars trustee
      • AGM 2025
      • Membership
      • Volunteer
      • Feedback about services
      • Donations
      • Wristbands
      • Social media
    • Contact us
  • I self-harm
    • Virtual support groups UK 18+
    • F2F support groups Leeds adults >
      • Daytime f2f group 18+
      • Evening f2f group 18+
      • Daytime f2f group 50+
      • Group posters & map
    • 16-25s support group Leeds
    • FRESH phone contact
    • Under 16's
    • Workbook for 10-17 year-olds
    • Facebook support group worldwide
    • Addiction programme
    • Resources & more >
      • Understanding s/h
      • Managing s/h
      • Self-awareness
      • Videos & interviews
      • Blogs
      • Gallery
    • Order form - crisis cards etc.
  • I'm family/friend
    • Virtual F&F support group UK
    • F2F support group Leeds family
    • Dos & don'ts
    • FRESH phone service
  • I'm a professional
    • Want to know more about Battle Scars?
    • Work with young people
    • FRESH phone service
    • Support for foster carers
    • Addiction workbook - PDF for professionals
    • How to write a self-harm policy
    • Join the mailing list
    • Downloads
  • Training
    • Self-Harm training
    • Eating disorders training
    • Self-harm in the Workplace
    • Autism, Self-harm & Mental Health
  • Space for hire/rent
    • Rooms for day hire
    • Rooms & desk space for lease
    • Onward House - the journey