I attended a meeting recently where the topic was how, in recovery, we change those thoughts that hold us back. A couple of people shared about using affirmations and vision boarding (creating a visual image of our future self). I have done neither of these in my recovery, but was attracked by the impact they seemed to have on those who shared.

What is your experience? Have you used either of these tools? What do you do to change your negetive thought patterns?

Changing our thoughts through affirmations and vision boarding; I would have to say affirmations are a tool I use to change negative thoughts that tend to crop up now and then in my sphere of thinking. My favorite affirmation is one that I carry with me in my purse so I can refer to it when needed, it says "I am HeaIed, I am protected, I am safe, I am loved, I am free, I am trusted, I am worthy, and I am slim. Vision boarding, I don't have physical visuals but I have mental visuals of my future goals and aspirations.

Awesome Kelly! thank you for sharing.

Hi Kelly! Great post! After many years of experience, I finally became willing to adopt a "zero tolerance policy" on negative thinking - in particular negative self-talk. I have concluded that it would be better for me to say the Serenity Prayer over and over and not have an original thought for awhile than to entertain these thoughts. I have found it very helpful to learn how to identify "stinking thinking." Often, it is "all or nothing" self-talk, such as "here I go again, I always . . ./ I never . . ." Another form of stinking thinking is jumping to conclusions. Example - the reason I feel so bad is because I did xyz or because he is mad at me. This is a form of self absorption that is part of my disease. The affirmations are very helpful. Also, I like to ask of my thoughts "is it true? is it helpful? is it kind?" When I have trouble with negative thoughts, it can also help to flood myself with 'atta girls about all the positive actions I have taken that day. Ex. "I am proud of you for getting out of bed, brushing your hair, taking a bath, washing your hair, brushing your teeth, putting on your clothes, saying good morning to your family, planning your food . . " I have NEVER found it helpful to berate myself. It may work for others to think or talk negatively about themselves, but for me it is poison. I love the phrase "evaluate and correct" and "I am not a bad person trying to be good, I am a sick person committed to getting and staying well every day." "I am a wonderful, lovable child of God." "I made a mistake (or, I may have made a mistake), and everyone makes mistakes."