Are you your own worst critic?

I found this fantastic quote today, and it really resonated with me:

"You have been criticising yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked.

Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”

Louise L. Hay

If you're struggling with low self-confidence, you may well have let your inner-critic become overactive and inaccurate.

Recently I've seen an alarming number of guys on Twitter saying how down and terrible they feel, seeking positive affirmations that they have worth and are worthy of being who they are.

And of course, they do have worth, and of course they are worthy of being who they are.

We all have ups and downs, and every day it may seem like there are more pressures on us - especially online (I'm looking at you, social media), and thanks to that, it's even easier to be hard on ourselves, by comparing our lives to everything that's polished and put out on Instagram.

A way I like to help myself through moments like this, is to take a step back and try to stay aware of what I'm saying to myself - and not just accept whatever you're telling yourself.

In turn, what has made this easier to do has been the regular meditating I started a few months ago.

I've mentioned this before, and I fully appreciate the 'M' word may make you instantly think of me as some drippy, hippy PT who has to align their Chakras by 11am each day.

No.

What 10 minutes of meditation every day has done for me is make me feel more capable.

Things bother me less than they might have done previously.

And I'm less tormented by my self-saboteur - I'm finding it easier to dismiss what is being said.

And all I do, once I've got out of bed (and gone to the toilet) is sit, with my eyes closed, for 10 minutes, focusing on my breathing and working on keeping thoughts out of my head.

I really can't recommend it highly enough.

You can do all the squats you want, but if you don't feel right inside, it will count for nothing.

Better still, you only have to start with a five minute session. Set a timer (in case you fall asleep) and listen and feel your breathing.

If a thought comes into your head, mentally swipe it away or envisage it popping, so you can go back to empty space.

Give it a try when you can next find five minutes (ie. tonight, when you're waiting for dinner to cook).

Best wishes,

Matt "I know I've mentioned this before, but it's important" Boyles

#confidence #selfconfidence #selfhelp #exercise #mindset #empowerment