You spend a lot of time with yourself. In fact, out of all the people in your life, you’re stuck with yourself the longest. No escape, no holiday. You wake up with yourself, go to bed with yourself, and deal with that inner monologue in between. So, it might be a good idea to ensure that the person you’re listening to all day – you – isn’t someone you end up hating.
Stop Breaking Promises to Yourself
We all have that friend. You know, the one who promises to show up but never does? You start to lose faith in them after the third no-show, don’t you? Now, imagine that friend is you. How many times have you told yourself you’ll start exercising, cut down on screen time, or finally get around to that side project? And how many times have you quietly broken that promise?
Every time you set a goal and ignore it, you chip away at your own trust. After a while, you stop believing yourself. “Oh yeah, I’ll totally get up early tomorrow and go for a run,” you say. But deep down, you know you won’t. That inner voice starts to sound sarcastic, and eventually, you’ll just stop taking yourself seriously.
Stop Telling Yourself Lies
We’re all guilty of it – stretching the truth just enough to feel better. You might tell yourself that skipping one workout doesn’t matter or that eating a whole pizza is “self-care.” It’s harmless, right? Wrong. These little lies pile up, and before you know it, you’re living in a world of excuses and half-truths.
The problem with lying to yourself is that deep down, you always know the truth. You can’t actually fool yourself, can you? So, every time you bend the truth, a part of you just rolls its eyes and quietly notes that you’re not being honest. Over time, you become that unreliable narrator of your own life, and that’s a slippery slope to self-loathing.
Treat Yourself Like Someone You Actually Like
Imagine how you’d treat a friend going through a tough time. You’d probably be supportive, encouraging, and a bit patient. Now, imagine how you treat yourself when things aren’t going well. Not quite the same, is it? Most of us are our own worst critics, quick to jump on every mistake and flaw with more force than we would ever direct at someone else.
This is a terrible habit, and it’s a sure way to lose respect for yourself. Constant self-criticism doesn’t lead to improvement; it leads to self-doubt and insecurity. You wouldn’t want to spend time with someone who tears you down at every opportunity, so why let that person be you?
Next time you’re tempted to berate yourself for messing up, pause. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d show a friend. It doesn’t mean you let yourself off the hook – it just means you stop being needlessly harsh. Encourage yourself instead of constantly criticising. A little self-compassion goes a long way in maintaining your self-respect.
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