Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of beating ourselves up with our own thoughts? It is so easy to say kind and complimentary words to our friends, our family, our neighbors, and even that random stranger at the bank or grocery store...But what have you been saying to yourself lately? Self talk is a funny thing. If we are constantly judging our own thoughts and actions, reminding ourselves how we fell short—or riding a toxic loop berating ourselves over mistakes we made—it hurts us so much more than we could imagine. That kind of destructive thinking is actually self abandonment, and as a result we surrender to these thoughts and feelings of worthlessness. The result is that, in believing these lies we tell ourselves, we then open the door for everyone around us to devalue us, too.I know this, because it’s a practice I have had for most of my life, and I’m guessing I’m not alone in my fight against toxic self talk. Here's the truth: We set the standard of how we allow other people to treat us by showing them the guidelines we follow for loving ourselves, respecting our time and how we pursue our passions.
What I’ve learned in this journey so far is that when we can talk to ourselves with kindness and love, accepting our shortcomings and missteps (and knowing that we are doing the best we can with the information that we have in each moment) it opens our hearts in such a way that allows even more goodness, hope and love into our lives. And only then we are able to give even more sincere kindness, genuine love and caring support to others.
How are you speaking kindly to yourself? Tell me something you love about YOURSELF in the comments below!
AND! For a little EXTRA fun: This Sunday (1/26/20), I’ll select one of your self love compliments in the comments below to write on a #shareloveeverywhere card to be featured on our blog and IG (Bonus! I’ll send it to you with a pack of blank encouragement cards and one of our popular YES YOU CAN key chains!)