We’re now halfway through our A2Z Blogchatter Challenge, and it’s been such a grounding experience—reflecting on emotions, mental health themes, and the quiet strength we all carry. Today, on the letter P, I want to sit with three powerful words that shape our inner and outer worlds: positive affirmations, PTSD, and procrastination.
These words may seem disconnected at first glance, but they all trace back to the stories we tell ourselves—about our worth, our wounds, and our time.
Positive Affirmations: Speaking kindness into our inner world
How often do you pause to listen to the voice in your head? The one that whispers, critiques, comments, or even encourages?
So many people I meet in therapy or workshops unknowingly carry an inner critic that’s louder than their inner cheerleader. That’s where affirmations come in—not as fluffy feel-good quotes, but as small, repeated reminders that challenge those deeply ingrained self-beliefs.
Saying “I am enough” or “I deserve kindness” might feel strange at first. It might even bring resistance. But when done regularly and sincerely, affirmations start rewiring our thought patterns. They create new pathways where self-compassion can grow.
A tip? Choose affirmations that feel slightly believable. Not wildly positive, but gently encouraging. “I’m learning to accept myself” often lands more honestly than “I love everything about me.”
Affirmations are not magic wands. But they’re seeds. You plant them daily, and over time, your self-talk begins to soften.
PTSD: Living with echoes of pain
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of those terms often misunderstood or casually used. But for the people who live with it, it’s far from casual—it’s a daily, often invisible battle.
PTSD isn’t always about dramatic flashbacks or nightmares (though those happen too). It can look like avoiding certain people or places, being on edge for no reason, emotional numbness, or even unexplained physical pain. And trauma isn’t always war or violence—it can be emotional neglect, bullying, accidents, betrayal, or witnessing something terrifying.
One of the bravest things people with PTSD do is wake up and move through the world even when their nervous system is screaming danger.
And healing from PTSD isn’t about “getting over it.” It’s about creating safety again—inside and out. It’s about finding therapists, support groups, grounding techniques, and sometimes, medication. It’s about remembering that the trauma is something that happened, not something that defines you.
If you or someone you love is navigating this space, please know—healing is possible. It may be slow, and nonlinear, but it is absolutely real.
Procrastination: The misunderstood delay
Let’s talk about procrastination—not as laziness, but as a form of self-protection.
Yes, self-protection.
I’ve come to see procrastination as a messenger. When we delay something, it’s rarely because we don’t care. It’s often because:
- We’re scared we won’t do it well.
- We don’t know where to start.
- We’re overwhelmed.
- We’re emotionally disconnected from the task.
So the next time you catch yourself scrolling instead of starting, or cleaning instead of creating, pause and ask gently: “What am I avoiding—and why?”
Sometimes it’s fear. Sometimes it’s burnout. Sometimes it’s perfectionism wearing a mask.
Instead of berating yourself, try breaking the task into smaller pieces. Or ask a friend to sit with you while you begin. Even five minutes of progress is still progress.
Procrastination doesn’t need punishment—it needs curiosity and compassion.
As we close P and prepare for Q…
This A2Z journey has been more than a challenge—it’s become a kind of reflection diary, hasn’t it?
Today, I hope this post helped you pause and ponder: How do I speak to myself? What wounds do I carry? And what stories do I tell myself about time and effort?
You are not alone in any of it. We’re all figuring it out—one letter, one emotion, one healing step at a time.
See you tomorrow with the letter Q—where we’ll dive into questions, quietude, and quality of life.
Until then, be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think.
