It’s one of the most frustrating aspects of being a human. We can often be our own worst critic. Inside each and every one of us, there’s an internal monologue. It talks to us, guides us, warns us, and yes, it critiques us. This inner critic is a part of you but it is not you. The key to not letting a negative internal monologue dominate you is to understand who and what this inner [...]
How to Stop Over-Apologizing Accept Imperfection Everyone — every single one of us — makes mistakes. Embracing our inherent imperfection can help take the sting out of real or perceived gaffes. You will be less likely to see yourself a “mistake-prone.” Take Responsibility Only For Your Part Plenty of folks will happily deflect blame and dump it on someone else. Think about the profound manipulation of: “Look what you made me do.” Practice identifying your [...]
Everyone gets angry. It’s a normal and inevitable emotion. It can be uncomfortable but it can drive us toward important growth. Not everyone is made to feel comfortable when they express anger, however. Women are conditioned to stay calm — even under extreme duress. Anger is not ladylike. It’s not feminine. Thus, it’s not appropriate. There is a terrible bias at play in this societal norm. In addition, a potentially dangerous health scenario is being [...]
We live in a time when, in our pocket, we carry a mini-computer that defies imagination. Everything we think we could possibly need or want is available with just a few clicks — or so we’re led to believe. But what happens when that magical distraction machine obscures our instinctual ingenuity and vision? Too often, we lose focus, sacrifice inspiration, and delegate creativity. Sure, our devices have many useful applications but they should never, ever [...]
Plenty of things break. You could break one of your belongings. Or one of your bones. But your self-love should not break. Emotionally speaking, you may also feel broken at times. Someone may hurt your feelings or worse, they might neglect or abuse you. You may grieve a lost love or career or your health and feel shattered. Sometimes a sense of brokenness is the result of sudden, life-altering events far beyond your control…global pandemic, anyone? [...]
Living with bipolar disorder can be a serious challenge. The swings from depression to mania and back again can become exhausting. Part of you struggles to maintain a positive attitude but another part implores you to withdraw and wallow. Bipolar disorder requires help from a trained professional. Hand in hand with that help goes your personal self-care and self-love regimen. The coping mechanisms you develop can be a major component of your recovery plan. Bipolar [...]
To the best of our knowledge, infants do not experience shame. However, studies and observation demonstrate the presence of this emotion by the time those infants grow into toddlers. In an ideal sense, this is a good thing. Caretakers can use a protective version of shame to teach young children about safe and appropriate behavior. In a healthy setting, this dynamic can empower the child to regulate their own behavior. If the child is at-risk, [...]
