Hi, friends! I’ve written before about how well positive thoughts work for me…and about how I have a hard time with positive self-talk, like most people do! So if you’re looking for how to think positive, these are some fun and silly—okay, straight-up cheesy—ways to do it.
Even though these self-compliments are tongue-in-cheek, and you may roll your eyes a little if you think them, it won’t matter. They can disrupt patterns of negative thinking and establish a more positive mindset. You can even say them out loud, if you’re alone…or if you’re with a supportive and indulgent partner or friend who will immediately agree with you.
Some people might read this list and think, “This should be titled ‘how to be a narcissist.’ I disagree. Narcissists don’t really need to read articles in order to feel important or entitled. It comes naturally.
These aren’t all going to work for you, but you may find some favorites. Pin or bookmark them for whenever you need some cheering up!
1. When you start to number anything, think, “I’m the number one most awesome person.”
2. When you hear a song that’s a compliment—such as “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” “He’s So Fine,” “All Star,” “You Are So Beautiful,” “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Everybody Loves Me,” “Simply the Best,” or “Simply Irresistible,” or…okay, you get the idea—think, “Oh, they’re playing that song they wrote about me.”
3. When you see a dessert (or eat one), think, “Almost as sweet as me.”
4. When you grab a cold drink, think, “Almost as cool as I am.”
5. When you’re getting a coffee, think, “I, too, perk people up.”
6. When you eat your vegetables, tell yourself, “You know what else is good for people? Me.”
7. When you first wake up in the morning, think, “This day is going to be awesome. Why? Because I’m in it.”
8. When you finish getting dressed and you look in the mirror, say out loud, “Damn, you look good.”
9. As you brush your teeth, remind yourself, “It’s a good thing I’m taking care of my amazing smile.”
10. When you see the number 10, think, “I score a perfect 10 in being a human being.”
11. Did something make you laugh? Then say to yourself, “I have a great sense of humor.”
12. When you flip on a light switch, think, “My personality also lights up a room.”
13. Did you trip or fall down? Don’t tell yourself you’re a klutz. Instead, think, “When I stumble, I just keep on going.”
14. OR, if you’re clumsy and awkward, think, “I’m just like the cute main character in a romantic comedy.”
15. Putting an address in Waze, Google Maps, or your Lyft app? Think, “Of course, my eventual destination is greatness.”
16. Running late? Try thinking this: “Well, at least I’m worth waiting for.”
17. If you’re sitting down to write out a to-do list, remind yourself, “I can do anything I set my mind to.”
18. Enjoying a glass of wine? Remind yourself, “I, too, only get better with age.”
19. See some holiday lights? Think, “I’m brighter than a Christmas tree.”
20. If you’re trying to find your way in a mall, a zoo, etc., think, “This place is a maze…but that’s okay, because I’m a-maze-ing.”
21. When you see or hear a police car, think, “Uh-oh, somebody called the police, because I am killing it today.”
22. When you see or hear a fire truck, think, “Someone called the fire department, because I’m smoking hot.”
23. When a server at a restaurant sets down a plate in front of you and says, “Careful, that’s hot,” think, “So am I.”
24. Looking something up online? Think, “I don’t know quite as much as Google…but almost!”
25. Is your phone out of juice? Think, “Well, at least I’m powerful.”
26. When you see a cute dog or cat, tell yourself, “They’re so loveable…just like me.”
27. Is someone talking about Myers Briggs, zodiac signs, or Hogwarts houses? Think to yourself, “I have the best qualities of all of them, rolled into one.”
28. When you finish a workout…even a teeny tiny, beginner one…think, “Yep, I’m a champion.”
29. When you see a poster or a movie trailer about a superhero, tell yourself, “I also use my incredible powers for good.”
30. When you see a picture of Santa Claus, think, “I, too, can get a lot accomplished in just one evening.”
31. If you’re about to eat a banana, think, “This is so appropriate, because I’m really appealing.”
32. If you’re on an elevator going up, tell yourself, “I’m also taking my life to a whole new level.”
33. Someone’s talking about a wildly expensive item. Remind yourself, “That’s nothing compared to how valuable I am.”
34. If you’re using a kitchen knife—or a needle—think, “I’m also sharp.”
35. When you see a crown…or come across a headline about royals…think, “Sometimes, it’s hard to hide the fact that I’m a king/queen.”
36. When you see a picture of a swan, think, “Almost as graceful as me.”
37. When you see a picture of a bull, think, “Almost as strong as me.”
38. If you’re watching an effortlessly charming actor on a talk show…or a character like that on a TV show…tell yourself, “Some of us just have that charisma.”
39. (women only) Since Nike is the goddess of victory, when you see Nike shoes or the swoosh, think to yourself, “Of course, we all know I’m the TRUE goddess of victory.”
40. When the stars are out, think, “I can’t see enough stars in the sky for all my wishes that are going to come true.”
41. When you buy eggs, tell yourself, “As a person, I also get a grade A.”
42. When someone pays you a compliment, think to yourself, “They got that right.”
43. (authors only) When you see a shelf of bestsellers, think, “Oh, look. That’s where my book is going to be in a few years.”
44. (U.S.-specific, maybe?) When everyone’s excited because it’s pumpkin spice season, think how lucky everyone is that you’re around all year.
45. When you walk into a party, think to yourself, “Well, this party just got a lot more fun.”
46. Take a deep breath in and think, “I’m breathing in positivity.” Exhale and think, “I’m releasing negativity.”
47. Looking ahead on your calendar to the coming week…or month…or year? Say, “This is going to be the best (week/month/year) EVER.”
48. When the forecast calls for rain, think, “That’s okay. I bring the sunshine wherever I go.”
49. (I bet you know this one, because I didn’t come up with it…) When you put on your sunglasses, think, “My future’s so bright, I’ve got to wear shades.”
50. (I didn’t come up with this one, either…) When you go to bed at night, think, “I can’t wait for tomorrow, because I get more awesome every day.”
Do you have any other suggestions for self-compliments—or any other ways to do positive self-talk? We’d love to hear them in the comments!
And if you could use some positivity now and then, be sure to subscribe below. Thanks for reading, and I hope you’re having a great week!
What a great list! I’ll have to try these. When I find myself feeling overwhelmed it’s usually because I’m on a negative thought train. Three of my four littles have pretty substantial medical needs and some things simply aren’t accessible to us. But if I celebrate all the little things we CAN do it lifts me out of the funk. I act like a cheerleader, and I literally cheer out loud or sing happy songs at the top of my lungs and it helps tremendously.
Aw, thanks, Katrina! Sorry to hear that about the littles. It sounds like you know how to stay strong. I love the idea of singing out loud! I’m going to try it!
They’re amazing kids, truly. And knowing that there are people in this world like you who are willing to donate their organs has brought a lot of peace to this mama’s heart. Thankfully we haven’t had to go down that path. Right now we have healthy kidneys, they’re keeping up with other kids, and living their best lives. So yeah, we have a lot to sing about!
I found these useful and funny. There seems to be a playlist of negative self-talk in my head all the time; perhaps this will help.
Thanks, Chris! I think a lot of us have that playlist. It’s great to drown it out!
Great reminders. When I see a meme that speak to me, I save it and print it out and add them to the 3 clipboard-like frames on the wall beside my bed. The most recent meme I found is a picture of a child with the face buried in a sunflower and the words say: “Somedays you just have to create your own sunshine…” and is perfect for this dreary winter day, so I put on socks with yellow and orange stripes, colours that always cheer me up.
At work I have humorous ones pinned to the cork board that makes people laugh when they read them. I switch them out every so often. I try to find something to smile about every day.
My fave quote is: “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old! You grow old because you stop laughing!!”
HI there! Wow, I LOVE that idea…having the frames by the bed for memes that inspire you. That’s genius. (I agree with that last quote, too!)
Thanks so much for the positive upgrade ideas, Bryn! Something I am doing is asking my grandchildren what stories they want to hear about me. (Sneaky way to involve them in my history! If they ask, they’ll be more likely to read my booklets rather than letting them sit on the shelf.) I am finding that I can slough off some of the negativity of my former life by focusing on what is appropriate for a five-year-old or a two-year-old. and it makes me happier too! How often do I think about candy? or being a fairy princess? or the Christmas tree my dad made out of branches other people left rather than cutting down another one? Sorting out the positive and shoving aside the hurt helps me feel better about myself. I do agree that rebranding my day by thinking awesome things about myself is a great way to bring positive energy into my life! Thanks for the laughs!
Jessie! Ooooh, that is brilliant. (And they are the luckiest grandkids ever!!)
Thanks Bryn! And I’m the luckiest grandma!
Fun fun fun! ????
Haha, thanks Kris! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS. I’m going to pick one or two and work them into my thinking right away. 😀
Trish! Awww, I’m so glad you liked it. That means a lot to me. 🙂
These are great! I love it.