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The Weight of Your Words (Mindset Motivation) with Rita Mercer

Your words carry weight. Learn how to shift from limiting absolutes to empowering language that opens doors to growth and abundance.


Words are not just sounds or letters strung together. They hold energy, meaning, and power. The way we speak to ourselves and to others can either lift us up or tear us down. In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, we explore the weight of our words, why they matter, and how small shifts in language can open doors to growth, freedom, and abundance.

This post will walk you through the key insights from the episode, highlighting practical ways to replace limiting phrases with empowering words.


Why Words Carry Weight

Your words shape the way you see yourself, your circumstances, and your future. When you repeat a phrase, it becomes more than just a sentence—it becomes a belief, a story you tell yourself. Over time, that story influences how you feel, the decisions you make, and the opportunities you allow yourself to pursue.

For example, telling yourself, “I always mess things up” doesn’t just reflect frustration. It reinforces a belief that you’re incapable of change, which then discourages you from trying new things. On the other hand, replacing that thought with “I can learn from mistakes and improve” plants the seed of growth and resilience.


The Trap of Absolutes

One of the most common ways negative self-talk shows up is through absolute words—phrases like:

  • “I always mess up.”
  • “Good things never happen to me.”
  • “I’ll never find love.”
  • “I should have done better.”

Absolutes are dangerous because they leave no room for nuance or change. Life is rarely always or never. These words box us into fixed roles and strip away the possibility of growth. By recognizing absolutes in our daily conversations, we can begin to challenge their validity and create space for more empowering perspectives.


How Absolutes Affect Your Emotions

When you say things like “I should have started earlier” or “I’ll never succeed,” your body and emotions respond. These phrases can trigger feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety. Instead of motivating you to move forward, they keep you stuck in cycles of regret and self-criticism.

Over time, this negative self-talk becomes a slippery slope. A single complaint or frustrated thought can spiral into a mental narrative that convinces you you’re unworthy, incapable, or permanently stuck. That’s the heavy weight of words—pulling you down without you even realizing it.


The Power of Reframing Your Language

The good news is that words can also be used to lift you up. By consciously shifting from limiting language to empowering words, you change how you see yourself and your circumstances. Try replacing absolutes with flexible, growth-oriented phrases such as:

  • Instead of “I have to…” → “I get to…”
  • Instead of “I should…” → “I choose to…”
  • Instead of “I’ll never…” → “I could…”

These small adjustments create a sense of agency and open the door to new opportunities. For instance, saying “I get to cook dinner” reframes a chore into a privilege—you are nourishing yourself and your loved ones. Saying “I choose to work hard” reminds you that your actions are intentional, not forced.


Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

Your words reveal whether you’re living in a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset relies on absolutes and victim language: “I can’t,” “I’ll never change,” “I’m not good enough.”These words close doors and reinforce fear, survival mode, or scarcity thinking.
  • A growth mindset uses empowering language: “I can,” “I choose,” “I get to.” These words open doors, inspire confidence, and invite abundance.

When you shift from “I’ll never find my dream job” to “I can prepare myself for the right opportunity,” you change your perspective. Instead of closing the door on your potential, you create space for possibility and hope.


Words as Door Openers or Door Closers

Think of your words as keys. Every sentence you say either opens a door to growth or closes a door to your potential.

  • Door closers: “I can’t,” “I’ll never,” “I should have.”
  • Door openers: “I can,” “I choose,” “I get to.”

When you choose empowering words, you expand your world instead of shrinking it. This doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or pretending life is perfect. Instead, it means shifting your focus toward possibility and resilience, even in hard times.


From Survival Mode to Abundance Thinking

Many of us get stuck in survival or crisis mode, where our words reflect fear, scarcity, and limitation. We say things like “There’s never enough time” or “I’ll never get ahead.” This “not enough” mentality creates stress and keeps us from experiencing joy and gratitude.

By shifting our words, we can move into a mindset of abundance:

  • Relationships as abundance → “I get to connect with people who love me.”
  • Finances as abundance → “I choose to manage my money wisely.”
  • Health as abundance → “I get to care for my body with rest and movement.”

When you embrace abundance thinking, your words reflect hope, opportunity, and gratitude instead of fear and lack.


The Science Behind Positive Words

While this episode doesn’t dive deeply into neuroscience, research shows that affirmations and positive language can rewire your brain. Each time you replace a negative phrase with an empowering one, you’re building new neural pathways that strengthen optimism, resilience, and confidence.

This means your words don’t just shape your thoughts in the moment—they literally reprogram your brain over time. By choosing words of empowerment, you create a long-term shift in how you experience yourself and the world around you.


Practical Examples of Reframing

Let’s look at a few everyday examples of how reframing your words can change your perspective:

  • “I have to cook dinner.”“I get to nourish my body and my family with food I love.”
  • “I have to call my friend back.”“I get to connect with someone who brings me joy.”
  • “I have to go to work.”“I get to use my skills, share my ideas, and earn income.”

Notice how the shift feels in your body. The first set of phrases feels heavy, obligatory, and draining. The reframed versions feel lighter, empowering, and rooted in gratitude.


Affirmations: Shifting the Atmosphere

Affirmations are one of the most powerful tools to shift the atmosphere of your mind. By repeating positive, present-tense phrases, you reinforce empowering beliefs and disrupt negative patterns. Here are a few affirmations to try:

  • “I choose words that open doors to growth.”
  • “I get to create opportunities for joy and success.”
  • “I am worthy of abundance and love.”
  • “I can reframe my words and rewrite my story.”

When practiced with intention, affirmations help you reclaim your agency and remind you of the role you play as the author of your life story.


Reflection: Is It True or Just Pressure?

The next time you catch yourself saying “always” or “never,” pause and ask:

  • Is this statement true?
  • Or is this just pressure I’m putting on myself?

Most of the time, you’ll realize it’s not the truth—it’s just a mental habit. Recognizing this gives you the power to stop carrying unnecessary weight and choose words that serve you better.


Key Highlights

  • Absolutes create pressure: Words like always, never, and should weigh us down and close off possibilities.
  • Words shape reality: Your language influences your mindset, your emotions, and your opportunities.
  • Reframe with empowerment: Replace have to with get to, should with choose to, and never with could.
  • Fixed vs. growth mindset: Fixed language closes doors, while growth language opens them.
  • Affirmations build new pathways: Positive, intentional words rewire your brain and create long-term change.


Final Thoughts: Change Your Words, Change Your World

Your words are more powerful than you realize. They can weigh you down with guilt, shame, and limitation—or they can lift you up with confidence, freedom, and abundance. Every time you choose empowering language, you reclaim a piece of your agency and open new doors of possibility.

Remember: it’s never too late to change your words. And when you change your words, you change your world.

So, my dear, I dare you to speak with intention. Choose words that reflect your strength, your growth, and your abundance. Because your words matter.


Keywords

power of words, negative self-talk, growth mindset, fixed mindset, affirmations for positivity, abundance thinking, mindful communication, reframe negative thoughts, self-empowerment, positive language


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Categories: : Mindset, Negative Thoughts, Manifest Positivity, Abundance Mindset

Sherrita "Rita" Mercer, MA, LPCC-S, CTRTC, CCTP, CGCS, CIMHP
Holistic Wellness & Mindset Coach, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Hi, I'm Rita! I am so excited to support you on your wellness journey!   As a Holistic Wellness & Mindset Coach, I offer a holistic approach to support growth through mindset coaching, stress management, mindfulness, coping skills, & mind and body practices. My expertise incorporates nearly a decade in the field of Mental Health & Holistic Wellness and over two decades in Business & Organizational Leadership and Human Resources. The Daring Well coaching model integrates the combined overflow of nearly a decade of certifications/trainings, education, and evidenced-based research to promote wellness in mind, body, and spirit. If you're ready to grow, shift your mindset, find clarity with your life direction and goals, while building a life you love, I am ready to lead the way. Join me on a journey to discover your true self with self-love and unapologetic confidence.