Eliminate negative self-talk.

Negative self-talk happens when our thoughts, behaviors, actions, or appearances don't line up with the person we think---or want---ourselves to be. We assume something is wrong with us and that we can chastise ourselves into the "right" way of being.

Take a moment to reflect on your current process: how has the self-flogging approach worked for you so far? In my experience, not only has it done diddly-squat in altering my ways, but it makes me feel really bad about myself.

Instead of staying stuck in an exhausting cycle of self-abuse, I've chosen a more loving route, which is to explore who those thoughts/behaviors (etc.) are telling me I am, and why I am resistant to be the person who expresses them. Essentially, this is Shadow: it's the part of us we resist but certainly exists. So, why not lay it all out there and see what we have to work with, so we can finally end the unhelpful pattern of negative self-talk?

Check out the workshops page for the next Introduction to the Shadow workshop where we discuss this and more. If you’re looking for a deeper dive, look into the Shadow Alchemy course.