This week on my Instagram stories, I showed myself winding down from my work day by taking a moment to let go of any critical or judgmental thoughts toward myself or my day before going into the evening with my family.
I do this because so much happens in a day.
You start out feeling fresh and hopeful about what the day will bring.
As the day goes on, you have moments when you feel great…I got this.
And moments when you feel doubt and you question everything… Is anything even working?
You have moments when you’re ahead of your to-do list….Crushing it!!
And moments when something just takes you so much longer than expected…Well there goes my day.
You have moments of inspiration…I feel so in the flow!
And moments of total procrastination…You suck, why do you keep doing this to yourself.
Know what I mean?
Did you know we have on average 6,000 thoughts per day? 6,000!
So I think it’s safe to say that at the end of your work day, you deserve a little check-in with yourself to understand what thoughts have accumulated throughout the day and what thoughts are still swirling around in there, making you feel a certain way about yourself or your day.
(because remember… your thoughts create your emotions!)
This mental health check-in is a time for you to:
Step 1:
Take note of what inner critic thoughts are swirling around in there. Where are you being hard on yourself? Where are you stuck in fear, lack, scarcity, doubt, or comparison?
Step 2:
Amp up your inner wise woman (or inner cheerleader, higher self, whatever you’d like to call her)! Promote your inner wise woman to counter those critical thoughts with supportive truths. How would you talk to a dear friend in this situation? What supportive words do you need to tell yourself instead?
When I shared my process on Instagram this week, I also asked you guys to do it with me. The responses I received from you were so beautiful and relatable, I wanted to include them here.
The first question I asked was: What’s one subtle (or not so subtle) thought that’s weighing you down in this moment that you want to breathe out and let go of right now?
The second question I asked was: What supportive words can you tell yourself instead?
Here are the responses from women in our community. I bet you can relate to these:
Answer to question #1: I need to do something productive after the day I had at work.
Answer to question #2: It’s okay to relax and simply be.
#1: This will never end (COVID).
#2: It will end. We are safe and lucky to be home together.
#1: I’m not good enough.
#2: You’re doing your best, and that’s all you can do.
#1: I didn’t get enough done.
#2: There is time for everything that matters, including rest.
#1: My work doesn’t matter.
#2: My work makes an impact.
#1: I’ll never get my business started.
#2: I just need to begin.
#1: I’m fluffier and have gained holiday weight.
#2: It’s temporary and I can make changes when I’m ready!
#1: I am responsible for other people’s actions.
#2: Focus on the things that are in your control.
#1: If my body changes (bigger or smaller) the amount people like me will too.
#2: If you feel good (overall, not always) then you’re doing the right thing for yourself.
#1: I am awkward.
#2: My heart is full of light and love that I have to give to the world.
#1: I am too scattered / ADD to be effective in my pursuit to start a business.
#2: I think clearly and operate intentionally in a way that feels good for me. I am focused.
#1: We can’t have a nice holiday season this year because it will be different than usual.
#2: We can make this year’s holiday season magical and cozy.
#1: I haven’t done anything useful today.
#2: I did things that were important for my health (went to the doctor, got a flu shot).
Okkkk, can we talk about how beautiful these inner critic / inner wise woman statements are?
Do you see how a quick little moment can help you notice your inner critic thought, and use your inner wise woman to speak to yourself with compassion, love and truth?
I encourage you to find moments throughout your day to take stock of your mental state. Notice the predominant inner critic thoughts, and then actually take thirty seconds to let your inner wise woman speak up.
If you aren’t sure how to connect to your inner wise woman, here are some suggestions:
- Place your hands on your womb and ask your womb, what do you want me to know?
- Ask yourself, if a friend came to me feeling the exact way I feel and going through the exact thing I’m going through, what would I say to her?
- Do a super powerful journaling exercise that I’ve done for years (and so have my clients). I outline it in this post here.
I’d love to hear from you today:
- What’s the biggest inner critic thought you always seem to have in your head?
- What would you like to think about yourself or your life instead?
Sending you lots of love this week!
xx
