My morning run today was an absolute disaster (according to my ever so ‘helpful’ Inner Critic).

I was out of breath within the first 2 minutes.
I had a stitch within the first 5 minutes.
My legs felt like lead.

And to be honest…

I didn’t really FEEL like going for my morning run today.

I woke up tired and heavy.

Why?

I’ll let my Inner Critic explain…

“She stayed up till midnight watching a James Bond movie”

Yip, that’s right, this 007 fan stayed up to watch Spectre, just to put the TV off and notice that my 15 year old is STILL talking to her friend as they plot and plan their combined 16th birthday party (which is going to be at my place, but that is a worry for another day).

And to make things worse… (Inner Critic speaking).

“She had chips and dip for dinner”

Why?

Because I can!

Because my husband and boys are away camping and who wants to cook for two people.

AAANNNDDDD….

Because my daughter staked her claim to the lunch leftovers, so it was chips and dip for me.

No, not the healthy and nutritious shakes standing on the kitchen counter – chips and dip!

So my disastrous run was all my own fault.
The consequences of bad choices last night.

But at the core of all this, is the reminder that I am human.

Even with all my skills and strategies as a Clinical Psychologist (not sure where my Response Prevention knowledge disappeared to last night) I still make mistakes.

So I am employing some self-compassion today.
No pity-parties.
No judgement.
Just self-compassion.

So when you find your Inner Critic taking over, put that annoying little ‘you know what’ in its place.

HAVE SELF-COMPASSION.

Yours in Private Practice Success,