Do you talk to yourself like your inner voice is your enemy?
Have you started believing the harsh labels you say when you are stressed?
What if the fastest way to calm anxiety starts with changing your words?

Negative self-talk can feel like venting, but your brain treats it like training. When you repeat phrases like “I’m stupid,” “something is wrong with me,” or “I’m such an anxious person,” your mind starts collecting proof to match the story. Over time, those words shape how you see yourself, how you show up, and how hard it feels to try again.

In this episode, Jessica Davis breaks down how language turns into identity, why diagnoses and labels can stick in the wrong way, and how to shift your words without forcing fake positivity. You will learn how to replace identity-based statements with grounded truth, how to build an “emotional home” you want to live in, and how to interrupt spirals by focusing outward through contribution.

If anxiety hits fast and you want something simple to guide you, the free Anxiety Survival Toolkit is linked in the show notes.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• Why your brain treats repeated self-talk like truth, not frustration
• How identity statements make anxiety feel permanent
• Why “something is wrong with my brain” keeps you stuck
• How labels, including diagnoses, can shape behavior in unhelpful ways
• Why body-image self-talk trains your eyes to search for flaws
• The difference between “I am anxious” and “I feel anxious”
• What an “emotional home” is and how your words build it over time
• A simple check-in to spot whether your words drain you or refill you
• One underrated tool to interrupt spirals by shifting focus outward
• How to replace harsh language with words that build resilience and self-trust

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

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🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

Links:
Anxiety Survival Toolkit:
https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/

Davis-Smith Mental Health:
https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/

1:1 Confidence Coaching:
https://tidycal.com/blockoutthenoise/confidence-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis...