I am done with self-harm

I can’t help it, with time, with positive self-talk, with forgiveness, with healing, I’ve lost my motivation to criticize myself and inflict verbal and emotional abuse when I think I've made a mistake, come short, or failed. I’m coming to a place where I’m giving myself the benefit of the doubt, where I know my intentions and my heart are good, and I’m forgiving myself way easier. I'm also trusting that I'm doing my best at every moment.

These days, I’m treating myself more like I treat my dog, as funny as it is to say. I correct him when he’s gone astray, but I do it with gentle firmness and love. He’s a good little guy after all and a beloved member of our family. I've never gone on and on because he made a mistake, or made him feel shamed and worthless. Sadly, the same cannot be said for my self-treatment. That's something else I'm forgiving myself for.

As any consciencious physician knows, first do no harm. And so I choose to stop speaking to myself in a way that hurts me. When my inner critic rears her head as she is wont to do, her voice isn’t as loud and her diatribes don’t last as long. I just don’t have the heart anymore to tear into myself. There are other voices inside now that are just as loud as the critic’s and these voices trust me, love me, and guide me, they elevate me, and take the edge off all things.

We all have these benevolent voices inside already. It’s my intention to nurture them and listen to them. Why wouldn’t I? I sure do love what they have to say. And it makes me feel good.

My self-talk:

I am done with harmful self-talk.
I am worthy of respect, consideration, and compassion.
I am done with self-abuse.
My intention is to speak to myself like I matter.