When when was the last time you said something positive to yourself? Can you remember a time that your inner narrative was uplifting? Now, when was the last time you said something positive, uplifting and strengths-focused to someone else? More often, right? I’m guilty too. We naturally build up those around us and are our worst critic – how unbalanced. “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” It feels unnatural to me because I am like Siskel and Ebert with my inner narrative. I can find something to nitpick about myself even in a perfect scenario – I know I’m not alone in this. So what if we flipped the script in our heads? We can recast ourselves as portraying our child, significant other, or best friend until we can play ourselves and narrate in a more positive light. Rewriting the script wouldn’t hurt either. When the critics have a negative remark, we can boldly black it out and reframe it to something empowering. Turn inner criticism into an epic monologue of self-love and compassion. It’s worth a shot, right? What do we have to lose except ol’ Siskel and Ebert?

Sarah Deats

Sarah Deats is a Behavioral Health Technician at RI International and the Hope Inc. Stories Inspiration Engineer.