I hear voices in my head; do you?

Since early Saturday morning, I’ve been away from home (aka Project Central) on military business, so I’ve unofficially designated this week as “life improvement week” here on the blog.

Adirondack-chair-with-books

I did this mainly because hotels typically frown on guests re-painting walls or transforming curtains into table runners. So I’m pretty much dead in the water with the DIY projects for now. Good thing hotels don’t frown on snatching boxes of tissues or rolls of toilet paper. Shhhh. 😉

If you recall, on Monday I shared one of my secrets for how I kick procrastination’s butt. Today I wanted to share a darker secret.

I hear voices … No. Not the “lock me up; I need heavy medication and 24-hour supervision” type of voices, but dangerous ones all the same.

This is what they often sound like:

“You are never going to achieve your goals. Quit now.”

“You are so unattractive. Why don’t you look more like Sally down the street?” (Name changed to protect the beautiful.)

“You’re still that clumsy, awkward girl who never got invited to parties. Who would want to be friends with you?”

“No one really loves you. They just need something from you; that’s why they stick around.”

Pretty scary voices, huh? And you know the scariest part? Sometimes I believe them! I embrace them as truth as if I had just read them in the Bible or a college text book, or heard them straight from the mouth of God.

Why do we accept every thought we have as if it is absolute fact?

To help fight against these “voices,” I thought it might be fun to research some motivational quotes on the subject. Here is what I found:

“Negative thoughts are like boogers. You keep picking at them until you capture one; then you’re stuck with a nasty little waste you can’t figure out how to shake off.” – Unknown

“Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised or a little mistaken.” – Jane Austen

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson

“Negative thoughts stick around because we believe them, not because we want them or choose them.” – Andrew Bernstein

“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives.” – Anthony Robbins

Do you ever hear voices in your head?

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19 Responses

  1. Terri Ball says:

    We all need reminders from time to time. Thank you for Sharing these. The booger one fits real well around here today (and funny too).

  2. Angie W says:

    Who doesn’t? Negative self-talk is all around. I’ve heard that Joel Osteen’s new book – I Declare – is very powerful. It gives 31 days of positive, God centered declarations to start your day. When I was going through a very low time 2 years ago, I changed my passwords to uplifting words. I.E.: LiveFree. Live free of worry, sadness, whatever was weighting me down. Each time I type it it’s a reminder.

  3. Billie York says:

    I am so glad that I am not alone. Yes, I hear voices telling me that I am inadequate as a Mama, a business owner, an employee, even a Christian. It is usually at a time when things are not going according to MY plan. Once I realize I am just tired and the devil is taking advantage I start listening to GOD’s plan and the voices are still there but it is like the little choo choo that could: “I think I can, I think I can.”

  4. Linda says:

    You really hit the nail on the head regarding the avalanche of negative thoughts that seem to spring from out of nowhere and continually whisper in our ears! I have had to literally shout, ‘Go away!’ on particularly dark days, but that seems to help. Much of my negativity comes from fear, and I have to remind myself of the little saying: ‘Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered the door. No one was there.’ Those words help change my state of mind immensely!

  5. Pamela says:

    Yep. Sadly, I have a few negative people in my life. I personally think I can do anything and that I am gorgeous, in spite of my physical flaws.

  6. Kathy says:

    Thanks for this. Just got turned down for a position I really wanted so the voices have been a little extra-loud today. Glad to know that I am not the only one “hearing voices”. It reminded me that ~ Greater is He that is in me than all the other voices in the world combined.

  7. Donna says:

    So true…I like the booger analogy best too! These negative thoughts seem to really hit me early in the morning when I am just waking up. I tried something that put a quick end to them, I quoted to myself the scripture “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”…

  8. Penny says:

    Awh…thanks for sharing. I still hear voices too! I didn’t finish college so even though I have a job I hear, “You aren’t smart enough. You sounded so stupid when you said that…” etc etc. Target used to have (not sure if they still do) an insulated coffee cup/tumbler (Aladdin brand) that you could decorate. It has a paper that comes out of the bottom and you can put pictures in it or decorate it or . I think it is cool to put positive quotes in it or inspirational pictures. Every little bit of positive helps!

  9. Margaret says:

    Oh how much I needed to know that I’m not alone in all of this. I too hear these kind of voices and I hate to admit this but I tend to believe them more often then not. I have thoughts of not belonging, why was I born, not wanted, why did I just say that, that was stupid. I too am reminded of what God tells me in HIS WORDS… I love it when HE tells me that His right hand uphold me, He will never forsake me, and also I always think what is HE trying to show me in all of what I’m going through at that time in my life when it seems to get all neg. around me. On my Kindle Fire I bought the Bible as one of my books and bookmark pages to go to when in need of assurance. Thank you for this post on your blog. It uplifts and also reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles here. I love the quote of Faith answering the door when Fear comes knocking…Love Love it. Going to think that one from now on

    • Susan says:

      Thanks so much for sharing, Margaret. Helping people understand they are not alone is one of the biggest reasons I do this blog! It is hard sometimes for me to put all my “dirty laundry” out there. But I try and take a deep breath and say, “This is not about you. It’s about helping others know they aren’t the only people out there with struggles.” It’s one small way I think I’m living my purpose.

  10. Margaret says:

    Oh btw: forgot to tell you that you are so funny. Above when I seen what you were saying about the curtains in motel room not available for runners or etc. I was cracking up..you are so down to earth for all of us on here!! So glad for your blog and your insights…keep blogging..Love it!!

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