I've never really put a lot of thought into how I talk to myself. I'm thinking about it now though - and I'd say I have a somewhat critical dialog - not mean, but not terribly compassionate either. Your article is a good wake up call! We definitely do need to start talking to ourselves the way we do (or want) to talk to others. Makes so much sense.
My inner voice definitely used to be bullying and mean as well, and was for a long time until I finally managed to learn to be okay with myself and my flaws and that rather than berating myself for not being perfect and making mistakes, that I should just accept it and move on. My anger with myself isn't going to change the fact that something bad happened, and treating myself better might mean it's not so bad after all. So I completely agree with and identify with what you're saying. So glad we've both managed to become kinder to ourselves!
I've never really put a lot of thought into how I talk to myself. I'm thinking about it now though - and I'd say I have a somewhat critical dialog - not mean, but not terribly compassionate either. Your article is a good wake up call! We definitely do need to start talking to ourselves the way we do (or want) to talk to others. Makes so much sense.
My inner voice definitely used to be bullying and mean as well, and was for a long time until I finally managed to learn to be okay with myself and my flaws and that rather than berating myself for not being perfect and making mistakes, that I should just accept it and move on. My anger with myself isn't going to change the fact that something bad happened, and treating myself better might mean it's not so bad after all. So I completely agree with and identify with what you're saying. So glad we've both managed to become kinder to ourselves!