Hello Gold Star Squad! ⭐
If you are like me, you judge yourself A LOT. Like me, you might not even realize that you are doing it much of the time, that's how automatic the process is.
It's like we're pulling out a measuring stick in our minds, and then we hold our actions up to it to see how they stack up.
A big problem with doing this is that MANY of our expectations for ourselves are totally unrealistic. We think that we need to be "perfect," whatever that means, and when we don't live up to that ideal, we judge and criticize ourselves. We think that we could have done something differently or better. When we do this regularly, it seriously begins to undermine our confidence in ourselves.
But all hope is not lost!!! We can work to balance this out! A different way to get a sense of how we're doing in the world is to look back at what we've been through to see all of the wonderful things that we've accomplished or done well.
Instead of pulling out a measuring stick to determine what we didn't do well and how much better things could have been, we can ask ourselves -- what have we been successful at so far, and what have we done that has gotten us to where we are now?
This examination of past successes is grounded in reality because these are things that have already happened to you. This is your TRUTH, but looking back on our accomplishments is not something that most of us give much reflection time to.
This process of looking back on our accomplishments can help to balance out that judgmental voice in our heads that says "I'm not good enough" or "I could have done that better."
I know that you have overcome obstacles in your life, and there are SO many things that you have done well!!
Today, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on your accomplishments and on the things that you have dealt with successfully. What are you most proud of in your life?
I'll even start you off by sharing a few of mine! I ran a marathon once -- The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati! That was pretty awesome!!
I am also proud that I left a legal career that made me miserable and that I started my own walking tour business. I am proud that I have accompanied one of my best friends to every doctor's appointment that she's had since her breast cancer diagnosis a few years ago. I am proud that I lost 50 pounds a while back! I am proud that I am a thoughtful and caring friend (most of the time!) And I am proud of myself for starting Gold Star Revolution!!! ⭐⭐⭐
You don't even have to focus on a list of big, huge accomplishments that you are proud of! Little things are important too and helped to get you to where you are today! You can be proud of something as small as remembering to pay your bills on time, paying someone a compliment, or volunteering to help your co-worker with a project. Thinking about whatever is most meaningful to you will help to counterbalance your inner critic.
I would be thrilled if you would be willing to share something that you are proud of about yourself in the comments! Time to give yourself a high five!!!