If you are like me and millions of people around the world, you have the same familiar voice in your head that doubts you and tells you that you are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, motivated enough. It may even continue to remind you that you failed at something in the past or you can’t keep a job or you’re overweight. That voice is not our friend and the truth is, we don’t have to listen to the lies.
If we counted daily every time we say something negative to ourselves, chances are that list would be lengthy. On the contrary, if we counted the nice things we say to ourselves or the compliments, we both know that list would be pretty short or non-existent.
In the last couple of years, I’ve learned to flip that voice inside my head. I’ve taken time to recognize when it says something negative and then I will say the opposite. I’m not saying I do it well or even succeed at it, but at least I’m trying to be more aware of what’s going on in there. It’s not an easy task. In fact, it’s one of the hardest things to do in life. The more we listen to the negative we begin to believe it, but it can be the same for the positive. It’s simply a habit change.
For a day, try and recognize those put-downs. Hear each one and immediately change it to a positive.
Say it out loud.
Say it twice.
Example: Your voice says, “Ugh, you still haven’t lost those 10 pounds.” You then recognize that and say, “Yes, but I’ve lost 2 pounds and I’m on my way to 10.”
Or when the voice says, “You aren’t good enough to do that.” You recognize it and say, “Yes, I am enough. I am perfect right now just as I am. I am making progress.”
Take it one day at a time.
Offer yourself compassion, as you would a friend.
Reject the negative talk.
Talk to yourself from a place of kindness and then let me know what that feels like…
Suggested reading: The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
