April 10 means today is National Erase Self-Negativity Day on the National Day Calendar. We are spending the day encouraging everyone to take steps toward  erasing the influence negative self-talk has on our lives. It’s also a day where we will focus on changing this negative habit into a time of personal empowerment.

Some people think speaking negatively to themselves is a way for them to identify their downfalls or shortcomings and move forward. Even though we may believe negative self-talk is a reasonable and a harmless thing to do, this type of behavior can significantly damage self-esteem over time. We are here to tell you speaking negatively to ourselves is a habit. A bad habit. The good news is we can begin to erase the habit of negative self-talk starting today on National Erase Self-Negativity Day. 

Identifying 5Cs of Negative Self-Talk

Each of us has a critical inner voice. This voice can be motivating, or it can do more harm than good. Many of us can easily become trapped in a cycle of negativity, with one critical thought leading to the next. This cycle can stop us from being able to move forward and damage our confidence. These words, if left unchecked, could potentially lead to mental health issues. It is important that we are aware of the five key types of negative self-talk.

1. Complaining is voicing dissatisfaction about something. Complaining is a form of negative self-talk and over time is a habit that prevents growth and progress. Complaining becomes less negative when we provide a solution or alternative to the complaint. 
2. Criticizing is pointing out what you don’t like whether that’s about yourself, someone else or a situation. Criticism is often a negative habit that starts from within that works its way out into our environment. Rather than criticizing, try framing it as positive feedback to help yourself learn and grow.      
3. Concern can happen when we feel we are losing control, thus creating a spiral of negative thoughts. The best way to show concern is to present ideas that counteract your negative thoughts.
4. Commiserating is when we gather with our friends and family to share “life” experiences, including things that are upsetting. Sharing grievances can be therapeutic, but it can also be the perfect time for negative self-talk. By simply adding a few positive remarks to any negative conversation, your mind will create a positive outlook and allow for encouraging responses from others, too. 
5. Catastrophizing is negative self-talk that paints a picture of the worst case scenarios in our mind and makes problems seem bigger than they really are. Learning to accept situations for what they are will help you focus on finding a more constructive way to deal with the problem at hand.  

Self-negativity is a habit that can be changed with work and commitment. In fact, the key to erasing self-negativity is through awareness and small habit changes. As negative thoughts arise, lighten them by reframing your mind with a positive mindset by catching, checking, and erasing it. 

POSITIVE COLLABORATION

In 2024, Dr. Elizabeth Scott, PhD., the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), Pilot Pen, and National Day Calendar began working together to create National Erase Self-Negativity Day on April 10. This new National Day encourages everyone to take big, empowering steps toward erasing the influence negative words have on our lives. Each year on April 10, we focus on changing the negative habit of harmful words and focus more on increasing a positive outlook to live a healthy life year-round. Pilot Pen also invites you to join us as we focus on facing and erasing the damaging words and phrases that encapsulate our negative self-talk.

Founders

Dr. Elizabeth Scott, PhD., the NAMI, the nation’s leading mental health organization, and Pilot Pen are partnering to help individuals take meaningful steps toward decreasing stress and improving emotional well-being through the Erase Self-Negativity Day exercises. 

An Exercise to Erase Negativity

To erase self-negativity, we need to start by identifying the primary, negative self-talk words that we play over and over again in our minds. After we recognize what those words are, we can take the necessary steps to actively embrace our personal power to face our negative self-talk and erase this damaging habit.

Find a quiet, restful location, get some paper, a FriXion pen, and follow the guided exercise below. 

National Erase Self-Negativity Day

Erase Self-Negativity

The path to positivity lies ahead!

Erase Self-Negativity Official Website

How to OBSERVE #EraseSelfNegativityDay

Join us as we celebrate National Erase Self-Negativity Day across social media using the hashtag #EraseSelfNegativityDay. Share your stories, suggestions, and support to empower and encourage one another to speak to ourselves with compassion. It’s time to begin spreading positivity, starting with yourself.