Wise Inner Voice

How do you talk to yourself now? Do you criticize yourself? Do you call yourself mean names (e.g. fat, lazy, stupid, selfish, failure)? Do you give up on yourself (e.g. I can’t, this will never work, it’s too hard)?

This is unfortunately quite common and can have a big impact on how you feel and act. This harsh self-talk usually leads to negative feelings, giving up on goals, and not trusting yourself. Some people believe that harsh self-talk is deserved and motivating. Most of the time, the opposite is true.

A kind inner voice is nurturing. Forgiving. Hopeful. Peaceful. Loving. A kind inner voice comes from a place of acceptance of yourself & where you are now. You aren’t perfect, but a kind inner voice doesn’t need you to be perfect.

Another aspect of kindness is to take care of yourself. In the big sense, this means identifying your values and choosing actions that help you move towards your values. In the moment, it means reflecting on what is happening, how you feel, what you are thinking, and figuring out what it is that you want, and what it is that you need.

This article is part of preparation for the Habitspark Diet Foundations free 12-week program.