7 Fun and Engaging Coaching Activities to Help Girls Rewire Negative Self-Talk

Because That Inner Voice Should Be a Friend, Not a Bully

If we could hear what girls say to themselves inside their heads, it would probably break our hearts.
“I’m not good enough.”
“I always mess things up.”
“No one really likes me.”

That inner critic can show up loud and early—but the good news is, we can teach girls how to talk back with kindness, truth, and self-compassion. With the right tools, girls can learn to shift their inner narrative, build emotional resilience, and believe in their own worth.

Here are some fun, accessible activities to help girls recognize negative self-talk and practice speaking to themselves like someone they actually love.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Negative self-talk is learned—which means it can be unlearned and replaced with truth

• Coaching activities give girls practice and permission to rewrite their inner voice

• You don’t have to fix the self-doubt—just create space for awareness and growth

• When girls shift their self-talk, they start showing up with more confidence and self-trust

1. Name Your Inner Critic

Ask girls to give their inner critic a name and personality. Maybe it’s “Doubtful Dana” or “The Worry Worm.”
Then, invite them to describe what this voice says—and how it makes them feel. Giving it a name creates distance and helps girls recognize: this voice isn’t truth—it’s just one part of my story.

2. “Flip the Script” Card Game

Prepare cards with common negative thoughts like:

• “I’m not good at anything.”

• “Nobody likes me.”

• “I’ll never get it right.”
  Girls draw a card and work in pairs or groups to “flip” it into a positive or neutral statement:

• “I’m still learning, and that’s okay.”

• “I have people who care about me.”

• “Mistakes help me grow.”
  It’s playful, empowering, and builds emotional flexibility.

3. Mirror Message Moments

Give each girl a mini mirror or use a large one in the room. Ask them to choose one kind, empowering thing to say to themselves while looking into their eyes. You can use prompts like:

• “I am proud of…”

• “I am learning to…”

• “I am enough because…”
  This might feel awkward at first—but with repetition, it becomes a powerful self-esteem habit.

4. “Kind Voice vs. Critical Voice” Roleplay

Have girls act out scenarios where they say something critical to themselves (e.g. “I’m so bad at this”) and then practice switching to a kinder inner voice (e.g. “This is new, and I’m trying my best”).
Let them practice both in a safe, playful way—it’s a powerful way to build self-talk awareness through action.

5. Positive Post-It Challenge

Give each girl a stack of Post-It notes and have them write affirming, empowering messages:

• “You’re doing great.”

• “You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing.”

• “You matter.”
  Girls can stick them on their mirrors, notebooks, or even anonymously around the room. You can also create a “Kind Words Wall” they contribute to throughout the series.

6. Self-Talk Journaling Prompts

Use prompts that guide girls to reflect on their inner voice with compassion, like:

• What’s something I often say to myself that doesn’t help?

• What would I say to a friend in the same situation?

• What kind words do I need to hear more often?
  Let them write freely, without judgment. Journaling is one of the best tools for shifting self-talk over time.

7. Inner Ally Letter

Ask girls to write a letter to themselves from the voice of their most supportive inner friend. Encourage them to use loving, empowering language:
“Dear Me, I know you’re trying so hard. I see your heart. You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy…”
This activity can be emotional and beautiful—and many girls save their letters to read again and again.

Want to lead a full coaching series that helps girls build inner confidence and speak to themselves with kindness? The Confidence Coaching Kit is a ready-to-use 4-week series filled with journaling prompts, reflection activities, creative tools, and group coaching guides to help girls shift their mindset and show up as their authentic, empowered selves.

You don’t need to be a therapist or a seasoned coach to do this work. You just need to show up, lead with love, and remind girls they are so much more than the voice of their doubt. Let me know which activity your group connects with—I’d love to hear what resonates!

- Kate