Your Inner Voice

What are the words you whisper to yourself? Are they uplifting and encouraging, or are they belittling and keep you down?

If you find that you are criticizing yourself, take a moment and reflect on how self-destructive that criticism can be. All of us have an inner dialogue that generally goes unnoticed in our conscious minds. However, it's this voice that drives our thoughts, feelings, and actions.  

By listening to the messages our inner voice sends us, we can start to see how they prevent us from taking chances, staying focused, feeling confident, and being authentic in our relationships.

Here are a few things to notice when you start listening to your inner voice:

• Would you allow someone else to speak to you this way? 
• What labels are you giving yourself? (not strong enough, not good enough, not smart enough, not worthy, etc...)
•  What dreams are you not fulfilling?
• What habits are you not starting?
• How are these thoughts preventing you from having deeper connections with your family?

Now that you have explored how your inner voice may be holding you back, start determining where these thoughts came from. Were they instilled in your childhood or youth?

Then, ask yourself if they're really true. Ask a supportive friend or loved one. 

We all have way more strengths than we give ourselves credit for. The next step is to start identifying those strengths and repeat them daily. After time, your inner voice will shift and you will feel better and happier. 

When we have this increased sense of well-being, we are able to not only treat ourselves with more kindness, understanding, and encouragement but also others (especially our kiddos.)