I have long known that my internal narrative is not always very nice. I enjoy making self-deprecating jokes, or being the first to comment on how big I am, how I'm a middle-aged man teaching yoga, how my hair is thinning out, or on my dad bod. But why do I do that? Because my internal narrative tells me that those are the things that others see and will comment on. So, by getting in first with the self-deprecating comments I think I am protecting myself as it hurts so much more when the comments come from others as it feels like they have found my weaknesses and can crush me. But maybe people don't care about those things or don't see what I see. Maybe they are just focused on themselves and living their life.

So what if I can change my internal narrative say nicer things to myself instead?

I am kind

I am happy

I am perfect the way I am

I am loved

I am worthy of kindness

Saying nice things to myself seems to be way better way to live, a genuinely happier way to live. Even when I don't feel those things specifically, if I repeat them enough, I can begin to believe them. So, when I really want to feel better, I pick one of the I am statements, and I repeat it, over and over. Until I feel it to be true and that helps to quiet the negative thoughts. So, if you to have that negative voice in your head, talking shit about you, let them know things are changing and give it a try! You can change how you feel. You have the power to do that.

Happiness comes when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Harmony sounds good to me!

Jay