“Geez, you’re such an idiot!”
Would you let someone say this to your best friend? Probably not. But let’s be honest, how often do you say things like this to yourself?
We each have an internal “voice” that can run in the back of our minds all day long. When this self-talk is critical and demeaning, it reinforces negative beliefs and attitudes about who we truly are.
The good news is that we can replace the inner critic with a new “upgraded” voice that is more aligned with our heart essence.
Let this be a year of creating something new within our self. Let’s upgrade that dialogue inside, and choose a voice that better represents our authentic self.
Making a list of the more frequent self-defeating dialogues that go on inside can help increase awareness. After you create a list, then focus in the heart and ask yourself what would be a better outlook and attitude? Instead of saying I’m too out of shape to join a gym, for example, try, “This will be a good experience and it’s going to help me get in better shape.”
Daily reminders built into our routines are also helpful. For instance, say your positive attitude statement out loud each day. Do it in the morning when you’re getting ready for the day. Write your positive attitude statement on colorful sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them. Create reminders on your smartphone.
Another exercise to try is to take 30 minutes each day to pay attention to your inner dialogue, watching for negative self-talk. Whenever you hear a negative comment, stop that thought immediately and replace it with a new, positive inner message. Use the kind of compassionate approach that you’d have with someone you care about.
The more we can genuinely engage with these simple practices, the more our feelings and thoughts can start to align with a positive inner dialogue.
Remember: You deserve the same encouragement and compassion that you give to others!
With Care,
Your Friends at HeartMath
