When You Keep Criticizing Yourself | Selfgentle 22

This episode is part of the Two Minutes of Self-gentleness with Femke series. There is a kind of self-erasure that happens before anyone else is even involved. You start to feel something, begin to form a thought about what you need, and then something overrides it before you've finished. This episode sits with that pattern and invites you to stay with yourself a little longer before the override kicks in. If you would like to explore self-gentleness more deeply, you can find Femke's Self-gentleness courses on Insight Timer. You are also warmly invited to join Femke's Self-gentleness Hour, a free live session on Insight Timer every second Friday of the month.

Transcript

Welcome to two minutes of self-gentleness with Femke. You start to feel something. And you notice that thoughts pop up about what you need. And then, Something else pops up that overrides it. Too much trouble. Too selfish. Not important enough. And just like that, You've dismissed yourself before you've even finished listening to what you need. It happens so fast! It doesn't feel like a choice, It feels like. . . Just the way things are. But it is a choice. And you? Can make a different one. Not through willpower, And perhaps also not all at once. But by staying with yourself a little longer. Before that inner critic pops up. What were you about to feel just now? What thoughts started to form that you were used to shut down? You don't have to act on it. Just stay around long enough so you can finish hearing what you need. Now let's affirm this together. Say the words with me or just listen to my voice. I am worth. Finishing a thought about what I need. I can stay with what I feel. A little longer before I decide what to do with it. My needs are not too much, They are mine and they matter. I notice when I overwrite myself and I can choose differently. I'm learning to stay when my first instinct is to disappear. I am the most important person to consistently deserve my own gentleness. So whenever you need a moment. To stay with yourself. Welcome back to this track. And say the words with me.