Improve Your Confidence Through the Power of Mirror Talk
How daily positive affirmations can make us feel more Clothing Confident.
The term Mat Talk originates from cheerleading and is the practice of standing on the sidelines and energetically yelling positive, boosting statements to fellow team members while they’re practicing.
Taking a note from the most positive people around: cheerleaders
Did you catch the show Cheer on Netflix?
The show introduced me to the phrase “Mat Talk”.
The term Mat Talk originates from cheerleading and is the practice of standing on the sidelines and energetically yelling positive, boosting statements to fellow team members while they’re practicing.
It’s an important role in cheerleading because when the team is running on fumes and stamina is limited, the Mat Talker is there to provide the much-needed adrenaline.
This got me thinking: can we be our own Mat Talker?
Can we lift ourselves up by saying positive affirmations to ourselves each day?
The answer is yes!
“Generating and reading aloud positive self-statements, instead of neutral ones, has been shown to reduce self-deprecatory thoughts and increase self-esteem in a group of low self-esteem subjects”
(Lange, Richard, Gest, Vries, & Lodder, 1998).” - Source PsychologyToday.com.
Mirror Talk is positively remarking about yourself while in front of a mirror. With regular practice, this small habit will create a positive change in the way we see ourselves.
What is Mirror Talk?
We can lift ourselves up and become our own Mat Talker through the concept of Mirror Talk.
Mirror Talk is the practice of saying a positive truth about yourself in the mirror. With regular practice, it can positively lift confidence and self-image.
How to Practice Mirror Talk
While getting dressed, we use a mirror for its literal purpose: to reflect what we’re doing or wearing (e.g. putting on make up, adding a piece of jewelry, making sure that shirt fits right, etc).
Try replacing one of these moments with an introspective one: say a positive truth about yourself aloud or in your head.
The only rule in Mirror Talk is that you're positive and treat yourself like you would your best friend. Everything else is fair game.
Mirror Talk isn’t limited to just getting dressed. When you pass by a mirror say something nice about yourself.
“Generating and reading aloud positive self-statements, instead of neutral ones, has been shown to reduce self-deprecatory thoughts and increase self-esteem in a group of low self-esteem subjects”
(Lange, Richard, Gest, Vries, & Lodder, 1998).” - Source PsychologyToday.com.
An Affirmation A Day Keeps the Negative Self Talk Away
I practice Mirror Talk daily. The practice helps me feel more positive about myself when I leave the house for work every morning.
Here are some positive affirmation examples:
“I love how I look today.”
“I feel gooooood! (slaps booty)”
“I feel great about how I am showing up in the world.”
“I am so into how I put this outfit together.”
“My a$$ 🍑 looks great.”
“So glad I added that finishing touch with the earring!”
Neurons that fire together, wire together in the brain. Translation: the more you can make positive self-talk in the mirror a regular activity, the better you’ll feel about yourself.
Try it out!
Begin weaving positive Mirror Talk into your daily Clothing Confidence routine.
Work, home, restaurant bathroom — take stock of how you feel before, and after, saying something kind to yourself in the mirror.
Similar to Mat Talk, it’s even more important to practice Mirror Talk when you’re feeling down, or low energy.
Be Kind
Talk to yourself like you would your best friend.
There’s no room for negativity.
Neurons that fire together, wire together in the brain. Translation: the more you can make positive self-talk in the mirror a regular activity, the better you’ll feel about yourself.
Try smiling at yourself in the mirror. Be playful and positive.
You may not have a team of cheerleaders supporting you, but 👏🏿you 👏🏿 👏🏾are 👏🏾 👏🏽your 👏🏽 👏🏼own 👏🏼 👏🏻biggest 👏🏻 👏 cheerleader 👏 !
P.S. I unapologetically document photos
A part of my Mirror Talk is documenting the process. When I love an outfit I’ll snap a photo of it. It’s fun to look back at these looks and remember which outfits made me feel particularly great. Sometimes I do this when I need inspiration!
xoxo Maddison
