The Monkey Bars and the Power of a Simple Reminder
- Nikkie Evans
- Aug 13, 2025
- 2 min read
It was our third trip to the monkey bars that afternoon. My 4-year-old is still too short to reach them on her own, so I lifted her up so her hands could grab the first bar.
The second her fingers wrapped around it, she closed her eyes and whispered, “I can do this.”
When she opened her eyes, she started moving forward—one bar at a time—until she made it all the way across.
Later, I asked about the whisper.
She said, “It’s just something I tell myself to remind myself I can do it even when it’s tough.”
Why This Matters
In my therapy practice, I often talk about self-talk—the quiet, constant conversation we have with ourselves. Those words shape how we approach challenges, big or small.
When self-talk is encouraging, it can act like a gentle push forward. But when it’s critical—“I’m not good enough,” “I’ll mess this up,” “Why bother”—it becomes a barrier that keeps us from even trying. Our inner dialogue often sets the tone for what we believe is possible.
My daughter didn’t think she was doing anything special. For her, the phrase was simply a tool—a way to steady herself and keep going. And it worked.
Putting It into Practice
Self-talk doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be one short, repeatable phrase you use when you’re about to face something difficult:
“I can do this.”
“Keep going.”
“One step at a time.”
It’s not magic. It’s a mindset. And that mindset can make the difference between stopping halfway and making it all the way to the other side.
Your Turn This Week
Choose a simple, encouraging phrase that feels right for you—maybe “I can do this” or something uniquely your own. Whisper it to yourself before walking into a hard conversation, tackling a task you’ve been avoiding, or stepping into a moment that feels uncertain.
Remember, it’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about creating progress, not perfection—one step, one bar, one small whisper at a time. You've got this!
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