Maybe your morning went something like this...
You woke up with a headache after just four hours of sleep. A shiny, brand-new zit greeted you in your bathroom mirror. Your didnt have time to make your bed, you splashed milk all over the kitchen table, you snapped at your daughter when she couldnt find her homework and you realized your baby has pinkeye.
Like a bug caught in the sticky, days-old residue on your tile floor, you came to the conclusion that youre hopeless. Youre such a lousy person, you should be carted off immediately and hurtled into outer space. And why, exactly, are you such a miserable, lowlife human being?
Studies show that healthy strivers set realistic goals that are the natural next step from where they are now, says Davidson. She recommends that you cut yourself some slack, take really small steps, be gentler with yourself, make maybe someday to-do lists, ask for help and pat yourself on the back for the progress you make. Also, remember that everyone has zits or cellulite or both, says Davidson.
Dont board that spaceship quite yet. You have so much to offer yourself, your family, friends and even strangers on the street. Although its easy to discount the good things you do, they actually mean a lot. Keep in mind this quote from novelist Roderick Thorp: We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.
You woke up with a headache after just four hours of sleep. A shiny, brand-new zit greeted you in your bathroom mirror. Your didnt have time to make your bed, you splashed milk all over the kitchen table, you snapped at your daughter when she couldnt find her homework and you realized your baby has pinkeye.
Like a bug caught in the sticky, days-old residue on your tile floor, you came to the conclusion that youre hopeless. Youre such a lousy person, you should be carted off immediately and hurtled into outer space. And why, exactly, are you such a miserable, lowlife human being?
- You lose your temper.
- Your kids mouth off.
- Its been ages since you called your mom.
- You make unnecessary purchases.
- Its been almost a decade since you last scrapbooked.
- You forget to put sunscreen on your kids.
- You lied to your friend.
- One brownie is never enough, and a cheeseburger always sounds better than a salad.
- You read a story to your toddler that made him giggle.
- You took a loaf of bread to the new neighbor.
- You paid a sweet compliment to your daughters awkward friend.
- You plucked your eyebrows and polished your nails.
- You smiled warmly at the grumpy store cashier.
- You gave your spouse an extra kiss and squeeze.
- A colleague at work was in a tight spot and you helped him.
- You finally scrubbed your kitchen floor.
Studies show that healthy strivers set realistic goals that are the natural next step from where they are now, says Davidson. She recommends that you cut yourself some slack, take really small steps, be gentler with yourself, make maybe someday to-do lists, ask for help and pat yourself on the back for the progress you make. Also, remember that everyone has zits or cellulite or both, says Davidson.
Dont board that spaceship quite yet. You have so much to offer yourself, your family, friends and even strangers on the street. Although its easy to discount the good things you do, they actually mean a lot. Keep in mind this quote from novelist Roderick Thorp: We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.