Instructions
Self-encouragement is a powerful way to reframe negative thoughts, reduce stress and anxiety, and bounce back from challenges (“resilience”). Positive self-talk is a key strategy in many wellness approaches.
Below we’ll write an 8-line poem together about encouraging yourself. You can make it general, or specific to what’s going on in your life. You write the first line, then the AI poet will write the second and rhyme it, then you write another line, and the AI poet will create another rhyming line, etc. Remember that the AI poet is unpredictable, and results might be profound or odd or amusing.
Some examples of a first line:
- “I’ve hit a roadblock, but there’s a way around.”
- “Exam week is here, I’m prepped and ready.”
- “I feel overwhelmed, but step by step, I’ll manage.”
- “Packing my life up, new city adventures await.”
Now it’s your turn.
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
– Maya Angelou
Sources
- Mak, W. W. S., Ng, I. S. W., & Wong, C. C. Y. (2011). Resilience: Enhancing well-being through the positive cognitive triad. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(4), 610–617.
- Shapira, L. B., & Mongrain, M. (2010). The benefits of self-compassion and optimism exercises for individuals vulnerable to depression. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(5), 377–389.
- Kelly, A. C., Zuroff, D. C., & Shapira, L. B. (2009). Soothing Oneself and Resisting Self-Attacks: The Treatment of Two Intrapersonal Deficits in Depression Vulnerability. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 33(3), 301–313.