Self-Esteem Exercises-2
October 23rd, 2007, by Shelley Riutta
Hello! What is your self-talk like today? If you are feeling happy and peaceful your self-talk is probably positive and supportive. If you are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, guilty etc. etc. your self-talk is probably filled with self-judgement.
Many people routinely engage in self-judgement and aren’t really aware that they are doing it. It can be so automatic and regular that it is invisible. The best way to start to tune into your self-talk is to monitor your feelings. Your feelings will give you pretty accurate feedback if you are being loving or unloving with your self-talk. If your feeling good your self-talk is positive and on track– if you are feeling bad it is an indicator that there is some negative self-talk happening inside.
See if you can move into curiousity with your feelings—let’s say that you are feeling anxious—ask the anxious part of you–”Why are you so anxious?” —the anxious part of you may reply “I’m feeling so anxious because you are telling me that I made a stupid comment in the meeting today.” Now that you are conscious of what is happening you can move into dealing with this self-judgement. You can move into a Loving adult space with yourself and talk to the part of you that is self-judging and say “I’m sorry that I said that you made a stupid comment—you actually added a lot to the meeting—you did just fine with the comment you made—you have a lot of good ideas and I am glad we shared them.” This statement is more supportive on the inner level and will create a sense of peace and security—in turn opening you up to more creative ideas. The self-judgement stifles creativity and creates immobilization.
Love yourself today by using loving, supportive self-talk.
Hi, I'm Shelley Riutta MSE, LPC a Holistic Psychotherapist in private practice. I specialize in helping people connect with their Authentic selves--and from this create a life that is in alignment with their Life Purpose and filled with Joy. I offer transformational individual counseling, presentations, groups and Workshops. You can get my Free Workbook "What Do You REALLY Want: Finding Purpose and Passion in Your Life" here or contact me at 920-265-2627.
