Renee Smith

The objective of this activity is to identify negative self-talk and positive self-talk and understand the consequences and benefits.

This activity can be done as an individual discussion or a group activity.

Begin the discussion by identifying negative self-talk and the types of negative things we say to ourselves. (Ex: My butt looks big, I wish I had smaller thighs, I wish I had her hair) Spend the first 15 minutes talking about negative talk and how we are treating ourselves when we engage in this. Talk about the consequences such as low self-esteem. Point out that more often than not, we are saying these things to ourselves; nobody is saying them to us.

Move on to positive self-talk. Discuss the benefits of positive thinking. Discuss the difference in how this makes us feel.

End the group by requiring each girl to identify and say one positive thing about her physical self and one positive thing about her emotional self.

Many times during this activity the other group members will disagree with someone when they identify something negative about themselves. Allow them to disagree. It only reinforces that we are our own worse critics.