our own worst critic

It's far too common of a struggle to be your own harshest critic, especially when venturing into new territory. Starting a new job, hobby, or endeavor often triggers an inner voice that's far from forgiving, which at times can lead to us giving up too soon. Take indoor rock climbing, for example—something I recently started doing. And oh my god it's so easy to get frustrated climbing fake rocks. This self-inflicted pressure and harsh judgment can be surprisingly intense for something as simple as a new silly hobby.

Overcoming this critical internal monologue is a practice in self compassion and quite simply letting yourself look a little silly. In therapy I often talk about the importance of giving yourself grace when that negative voice starts to get a little too loud. It's a continuous effort to quiet those self-deprecating thoughts and a personal responsibility to be your own best friend during low moments. Also don't take yourself too seriously cause that’s so boring, and you're most likely not going to do something perfectly the first time. Recognize that everyone experiences struggles and that flaws are part of what makes us unique. Life is too short in my opinion to waste time being unkind to yourself, so just be nice to yourself.

Shifting focus to gratitude can be a super helpful tool to combat self-criticism. Appreciating the simple fact of existence, the ability to experience the world through your senses, and the love and support from others are true gifts. The more you concentrate on these things and fixate on the positive aspects of your life, the less room there is for that mean inner critic to take hold. So let yourself laugh more and stop trying to be so perfect.

Xo