There you go again, talking way too much and pushing your ideas on everyone else.
Well, that discussion was a hot mess. Pretty sure everyone else is questioning why you are even here.
This shouldn’t be so hard. You need to get with the program and figure this out.
Coming from someone else, you would roll your eyes and think “wow, that person is a jerk”…but what if that person is you? And the subject of the criticism is also you?
In talking with clients this week, I’ve been surprisingly shocked at how mean we can be to ourselves. Even as high achieving women with amazing accomplishments behind us, we are unwilling to let go of the self-criticism for even one moment and simply embrace ourselves how we are. It’s a constant stream of “but I see how I could have/should have done it better, I should be better”….and because of this constant and subtle berating of ourselves, we are exhausted – mentally and physically.
When we talk about the ability to exercise acceptance and empathy not just towards others, but especially towards ourselves it’s very typical that the brain goes into immediate resistance.
If I stop expecting myself to be more, then won’t I just become lazy and worthless?
This is just how I get stuff done. I mean, it got me here, right?!
Wow. Where have we been conditioned to believe that the only path to success is mired in self-criticism and bullying? No wonder we are exhausted.
So I’m asking you to take a moment today and consider:
When life gets tough or you are suffering, do you give yourself the caring and tenderness you need?
Can you see your failings, flaws and inadequacies as simply part of the human condition?
When you discover aspects of your personality you don’t like, do you remind yourself that these feelings of inadequacy are shared by most people?
This week, simply become aware of the thoughts you are having about yourself and reflect on how that might differ from how you would treat a good friend whom you loved unconditionally. Remind yourself that you are not alone and many others feel the same way. Then, ask yourself what you need in order to express kindness to yourself in this moment.
You got this my friend!