Episode 238: Be Your Own BFF

Why are we so hard on ourselves? It's not a rhetorical question. This week, Janine and Shannon discuss self-compassion and treating ourselves as nicely as we treat our besties.

Discussion topics include:

• The folly of harping on your past mistakes in an attempt to avoid those mistakes again

• How constantly reminding yourself of your mistakes makes it hard to do the thing you're trying to do

• A technique for letting go of past mistakes

• Acknowledging a past struggle before asking yourself to do the thing again

• Shannon's Boring Change technique that helps you understand the deeper need behind your behaviors (and can help you modify your behavior)

• Understanding when you're struggling and being kind to yourself

• Channeling your own BFF and thinking about what they'd say to you

• Ask yourself, "What would I say to a friend with this challenge?"

• Recognizing that you're not the only person struggling with something

• Nobody  is flawless!

• Setting realistic expectations so you don't beat yourself up

• How it's helpful to put a positive spin on things

• An important reminder: How you choose to perceive things makes a big difference in how you experience them because it has a bearing on what you notice

• The value of a gratitude journal to help you look for the good things in your life

• A recipe for being your own BFF: Acknowledge the issues, looking for the good, and let the feelings that the good inspire in you help you move forward