Single Mom Survival: Week of Self-Sabotage
So, yesterday was about the hesitation that creeps in when we start something new. Today, let’s dive into what happens after – when things inevitably go sideways, or when we just plain make a mistake. Ah, the perfect playground for our inner critic!
For me, when I mess up – say, I forget a deadline for one of my jobs (cue mini-heart attack) or I totally burn dinner (again!) – my internal dialogue can get pretty brutal. It’s like a rapid-fire of “See? You can’t handle this,” or “You’re always dropping the ball,” or the classic, “No wonder things are so tough.”
It’s so easy to spiral, isn’t it? One small mistake can feel like confirmation of all my insecurities. The lack of a financial safety net from Xavy’s dad definitely amplifies this. Every misstep feels bigger, more consequential.
Thankfully, I have a couple of amazing girlfriends who are basically professional pep-talkers. They remind me that everyone makes mistakes, that I’m doing the best I can under a lot of pressure, and that one burnt chicken doesn’t define my entire existence. My older sister also chimes in with practical advice and sometimes, bless her heart, a little extra help when things get really tight.
But ultimately, learning to talk to myself with a little more kindness is a constant work in progress. Instead of the harsh criticism, I’m trying to replace it with questions like, “Okay, what happened here?” or “What can I learn from this?” It’s not always easy, and sometimes the inner mean girl wins, but I’m trying.
How do you talk to yourself when you stumble? Do you have a go-to phrase or a person who helps you reframe things? Let’s share some strategies for silencing that inner critic! Tomorrow, we’ll tackle another sneaky form of self-sabotage. Stay tuned!
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