inner bully and inner cheerleader

Today, I heard someone describe what they were doing to themselves as “bullying,” and it hit me hard. For years, now, I’ve tried to be kind to myself and not talk to myself in a way that I wouldn’t talk to someone else. In other words, to be as nice to myself as I am to others. And for the most part, I’ve been successful. I certainly don’t go around putting myself down or saying mean things to myself.

It makes a difference.

But even though I have an internal culture of positive self-talk, I can stand a few tweaks. And one of them is that moment when motivating myself turns into bullying. When I nag myself into doing something, when perhaps I need a break.

And that’s a delicate balance.

I want to be successful and productive.

But sometimes I need to be a little kinder and let myself off the hook a little more. There are so many ways that I can bully myself. In little ways that in themselves don’t seem too much, but that add up. I can look at things that make me jealous or mad. I can compare myself to others. I can tell myself that what I’ve done isn’t good enough. Or enough, period.

I’mma quit it. I can be a cheerleader, but not a bully.

Help keep me honest.