Mind – Body Therapy

This blog is about exploring, evaluating and experimenting with different ideas, practices and activities … of ‘finding your own fit’. My academic background and interests are broad although I strive to be as specific as possible when using tools, techniques and exercises. I value diverse perspectives as they contribute to the ‘whole’. 2024 1 January

2023

29 December

My psychological New Year gift would be this:

The ability to turn off self criticism as one turns off a tap. How much good would that do. Just to be able to turn it off.

Self criticism is the most consistently negative theme I have noticed doing therapy. It is of no therapeutic value. Reflection, yes. ‘What could I do differently?’ ‘What did I learn from that?’ Then move on.

We tend to beat ourselves up with ‘shoulds’, ‘ought’s and high expectations and standards, comparing to others. It keeps us down and clogs us up. Whenever I ask someone if they would talk to a friend like they are talking to themselves they say ‘no.’

The opposite of self criticism is self compassion. If we do this enough it rewires the negative representations in the mind. This is cognitive psychology.

It’s been a busy 18 months without any posts so it was about time for one.