Halloween is the season of costumes, masks, and monsters. But sometimes the scariest monster isn’t the one jumping out at you in the dark—it’s the voice in your head.
That inner voice can wear many costumes. Some days it shows up as a mentor, guiding you with encouragement and wisdom. Other days, it disguises itself as a monster, whispering fears, doubts, and discouragement that hold you back.
The Monster’s Voice
Chapter 8 of Happy Life at a Healthy Weight explains that mindset often shows up in our self-talk. In From Haunted by the Past to Hope for the Future, we talked about ghosts—the old beliefs that linger and whisper in the dark. The monster’s voice plays the same trick, creeping in with thoughts like:
- “You’ll never stick with it.”
- “You’ve already failed before.”
- “This is just who you are.”
But just like those ghosts, the monster’s words only have power if you choose to believe them.
Unmasking the Monster
The monster’s voice doesn’t define you—it’s just one mask your inner voice is wearing. And like any costume, it can come off.
That’s where Chapter 8’s idea of a growth mindset comes in. It’s choosing to hear your inner voice as a mentor instead of a monster. A mentor’s voice might sound more like:
- “I’m still learning, and every step brings me closer.”
- “This setback is just part of the journey.”
- “I have the power to create new habits.”
Choosing Your Costume
This Halloween season, pay attention to the voice inside your head. Is it dressing up as a monster, or showing up as a mentor?
Like any Halloween costume, your inner voice can change. You get to decide which version you put on each day.
Moving Forward
As Halloween approaches, remember: monsters only have power if you let them. The moment you shine a light on that inner voice, you can unmask the monster and reveal the mentor underneath.
Because the real transformation this season isn’t in the costumes we wear on the outside—it’s in the words we choose on the inside.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ready to unmask the monster? Take our free Top Inner Roadblocks to Weight Loss Success Quiz and see what’s really hiding behind your inner voice.
Want to see a real life example? Revisit The Mindset Shift That Broke Jeanette’s Curse and see how she unmasked the monster that was holding her back.
Source:
Loughrey K. Happy Life at a Healthy Weight: Creating a Shame Free, Healthy Relationship with Food and Life.Authentic Wellness Publishing Company, LLC; 2024.
Zhana Ivanova
University of Maryland – Nutrition and Food Sciences
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Nutritionist-Dietitian
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Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN is a licensed Nutritionist-Dietitian and a weight loss coach with 30+ years of experience in helping people lose weight and develop healthier relationships with food. She coaches her clients nationwide providing weight loss planning, video check-ins, and more. Schedule your free consultation.