How often do you find yourself caught in a cycle of self-criticism? Maybe it’s a fleeting thought: “I look tired.” Or maybe it’s deeper: “I’m not doing enough.”
Why do we do this? Is it something we’ve learned over time, passed down by the voices around us? Are we trying to shield ourselves, thinking if we criticize ourselves first, it won’t hurt as much when someone else does?
Whatever the reason, it’s time we start asking ourselves the hard questions:
Why do we so easily become our own worst critics?
Wellness isn’t just about eating healthy or squeezing in a workout. It’s about wholeness. True wellness encompasses mind, body, and spirit. So how are you treating you? What does your inner dialogue sound like? Are you being kind, or are you constantly nitpicking every little thing you think is “wrong”?
“My hair is too short.”
“I’ve gained weight.”
“My skin looks dry.”
“I only made sandwiches for dinner.”
“I just cleaned the house—nothing special.”
Sound familiar?
We’ve been conditioned to downplay our efforts and magnify our flaws. And society doesn’t make it easy. Everyone has an opinion—especially our own inner critic. But here’s a truth that needs to be said out loud:
You are doing better than you think.
What if tomorrow morning, instead of reaching for our phones or jumping into a to-do list, we simply paused and thanked God for the chance to open our eyes? What if we started the day speaking goodness into our souls, declaring confidence and purpose over our lives?
Because the truth is:
We were not made to belittle ourselves.
We were not created to shrink.
You were created with purpose.
To experience wellness in its fullness, we have to start by loving ourselves right where we are. That doesn’t mean we stop growing—but it does mean we give ourselves grace along the way.
I’ll be honest: I’ve struggled with not feeling “enough.” I’ve listened to others minimize my accomplishments—and worse, I’ve echoed those thoughts in my own mind. But when that negative voice creeps in, I try to fight back with something true and kind.
“I only did part of my workout.”
BUT I showed up. I moved my body. I honored what I could do today. That’s enough.
“I only had energy to do the laundry—but I didn’t put it away.”
But now my family has clean clothes. That counts.
Grace is powerful. Self-compassion is healing.
Positive thinking might feel awkward at first. It did for me. That’s because your brain isn’t used to hearing you speak life over yourself. But like anything else, with practice, it gets easier. It becomes your new normal.
Just as we fuel our bodies with nourishing food and movement, we must also fuel our minds with life-giving thoughts.
Try this:
“I am strong.”
“I am worthy.”
“I am funny.”
“I am smart.”
“I can lead.”
“I am beautiful.”
“I did GOOD today!”
Start speaking those truths over yourself every single day.
Not just when you feel like it, but especially when you don’t.
And don’t forget to chase joy. Not the fleeting kind, but the soul-filling, quiet moments of joy that anchor us.
I find joy in reading a good book.
I find joy in the smell of freshly brewed coffee.
I find joy in holding hands with my spouse on the couch.
I find joy in learning something new.
Negative thoughts are more than just unkind—they’re unhealthy.
They whisper lies that say you can’t, you shouldn’t, you aren’t worthy.
But let me remind you:
That is wrong.
You are worthy.
Of love.
Of growth.
Of wholeness.
Of wellness in mind, body, and spirit.
So let today be the start of that renewal.
Speak kindly to yourself.
Practice grace.
Live with intention.
And above all—know that you are enough.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
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