Quote from: Jen T. on Yesterday at 10:03:27 PMI know she's still in there and I'm not giving up on her.
Jen, we were just discussing something similar with Elizabeth. Check out some of the replies to her post. Maybe there is something there that can provide some inspiration.
https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,251994.msg2314741.html#msg2314741Never let the negative thoughts get the better of you. In psychology, we call them ANTs or NATs. Automatic Negative Thoughts are the negative self-talk that we all experience. The best way to counter them is to "prove" they are not true.
For example, "Nothing good ever happens to me." That is easy enough to prove false by just remembering the good things that have happened.
"If I come out everyone will reject me and I'll be more alone than ever." That is a real fear that many of us have faced. The keyword here is "everyone". No, not "everyone" will reject you. Some might, but others will not.
"I don't have the strength or the courage or the confidence to see it all the way through. When it gets too hard I'll just give up." Look back at your life and all of the hardships you have ever faced. Some seemed insurmountable, and yet you are still here. No problem that you have ever faced has beaten you, and they never will as long as you don't give up.
"Just who the hell do you think you are? You don't deserve to be happy. Life dealt you a hand you don't like and that's just too bad. Suck it up and drop this fantasy." You are Jen. Yes, sometimes life sucks, but you find a way through. Deep inside, you know who you are. It is not a fantasy. It is more real than that negative voice in your head. By embracing who we know that we are, we unburden ourselves and we become happier people. The more that this happens, it reinforces our confidence that we are on the correct path. Smack that devil off your shoulder because Jen is in charge here. 🙂
