Being Kind to Yourself is Good for You and Your Relationships

The Inner Narrator and Its Impact

You are probably aware of the voice in your head, the inner narrator commenting on you and your life. Rather than being in the moment, it judges the moment. This human proclivity does not mean something is wrong with you, and it is not something to fix or change about yourself. However, I have found it helpful to be mindful of the quality of thinking it shares with me.

Recently I haven’t been feeling well for an extended period. Due to a mild autoimmune disorder flare-up, I haven’t been my usual self with my normal energy levels. In the past, I would have pushed through and not made adjustments to my lifestyle or my schedule. But this time, I slowed down and took space for myself. I opened up to Angus and let him know I needed to rest, and asked him if he would be willing to step up in certain areas so I could do that.

Slowing Down and Listening to the Wisdom of the Body

During this process, I noticed the internal pressure I felt in myself. I hadn’t been as conscious of it before. The inner discomfort with taking it easy. The subtle self-judgment with myself for not feeling 100%. I realized how this internal discomfort and the shame associated with self-judgment came from my critical inner narrative telling me I wasn’t good…