Your Inner Dialogue: How Is It Shaping You?
From micro- triggers to micro- achievement.
Recently, I had a conversation with a psychologist that truly changed the way I think about my inner dialogue.
She introduced me to the concept of micro-triggers — those small, persistent thoughts that seem insignificant in the moment but, over time, can weigh heavily on our mental health.
I realized how often I was unknowingly feeding these micro-triggers. For instance, every time I tried on clothes that didn’t fit, I’d think, “I need to lose weight.” It wasn’t enough to cause a full-blown panic attack, but these thoughts built up, leaving me feeling frustrated and anxious.
That’s when I decided to take a step back and consciously shift my focus. Instead of letting those micro-triggers define my day, I started to replace them with micro-achievements—small reminders of progress and positive effort.
Here’s how I did it, and how you can too:
Notice the Micro-Trigger: The first step was recognizing the thoughts that were bringing me down. For me, it was often about weight or feeling like I wasn’t doing enough. When I noticed myself thinking, “I need to lose weight,” I paused to reflect.
Reframe with a Micro-Achievement: Instead of dwelling on what I hadn’t achieved, I started to focus on what I was doing right. I’d tell myself, “But I had a healthy breakfast today,” or, “I’m working towards my goals by going to the gym later.” These small mental shifts made a big difference.
Celebrate the Small Wins: I learned to appreciate the small victories that were easy to overlook. Didn’t skip the gym? Stayed hydrated? Got through a tough day at work? These little moments deserved recognition, and they slowly started to change my mindset.
Practice Daily Gratitude: Every evening, I reflect on three micro-achievements from the day. Writing them down helped me end each day on a positive note, no matter how challenging it had been.
Why This Matters:
Micro-triggers don’t just impact your mood; they shape how you see yourself. By consciously replacing them with micro-achievements, I’ve not only improved my mental health but also gained more confidence and motivation in all areas of life. This shift has been transformative, and I want the same for you.
Remember, the path to self-improvement doesn’t require giant leaps—just consistent, small steps in the right direction.
What’s one micro-trigger you’ve been struggling with? Take a moment today to reframe it as a micro-achievement. Need more tips or inspiration? I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Here’s to celebrating the small wins that lead to big transformations!
Trust this helps,
Roshni Sanghvi.