These past few weeks have been really hard for me. I have been trying to find a good balance between everything but I am starting to doubt that a balance truthfully exists. Some days I just feel like quitting. Some days I DREAM of quitting. But I know that in the long run, this is what is best for me. It's the getting there that is the hard part...and it has definitely been hard. I found a quote the other day that said, "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." I think that is my new motto. I'm not sure it truly makes me feel any better, but it does give me a bit of encouragement. Last weekend I had another Mental Health clinical. As part of my care plan for my patient, who was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, I wanted to provide some resources for positive self-talk. In the back of one of the books in the lounge I found a paper titled, "Realistic Self-Talk" and I started reading it. Maybe it's what I needed as much as my patient. Here is what it said:
Realistic Self-Talk
1) This too shall pass and my life will be better.
2) I am a worthy and good person.
3) I am doing the best I can, given my history and level of current awareness.
4) Like everyone else, I am a fallble persona nd at times will make mistakes and learn from them.
5) What is, is.
6) Look at how much I have accomplished, and I am still progressing.
7) There are no failures - only different degrees of success.
8) Be honest and true to myself.
9) It is okay to let myself be distressed for awhile.
10) I am not helpless. I can and will take the steps needed to get through this crisis.
11) I will remain engaged and involved instead of isolating and withdrawing during this situation.
12) This is an opportunity, instead of a threat. I will use this experience to learn something new, to change my direction, or to try a new approach.
13) One step at a time.
14) I can stay calm when talking to difficult people.
15) I know I will be okay no matter what happens.
16) He/She is responsible for their reaction to me.
17) This difficult situation will soon be over.
18) I can stand anything for a while.
19) In the long run, who will remember, or care?
20) Is this really important enough to become upset about?
21) I don't really need to prove myself in this situation.
22) Other people's opinions are just their opinions.
23) Others are not perfect, and I won't put pressure on myself by expecting them to be.
24) I cannot control the behaviors of others, I can only control my own behaviors.
25) I am not responsible to make other people okay.
26) I will respond appropriately, and not be reactive.
27) I feel better when I don't make assumptions about the thoughts or behaviors of others.
28) I will enjoy myself, even when life is hard.
29) I will enjoy myself while catching up on all I want to accomplish.
30) Don't sweat the small stuff - its all small stuff.
31) My past does not control my future.
32) I choose to be a happy person.
33) I am respectful to others and deserve to be respected in return.
34) There is less stress in being optimistic and choosing to be in control
35) I am willing to do whatever is necessary to make tomorrow better.
