Treat Your Negative Self-Thoughts Like Mildew: Scrub Daily
I live in a Mad Men house, built in 1961. It has a hidden wet bar, a record player built into the wall, and BONUS! a very pink bathroom. The entire shower stall, ceiling included, is covered in 4" pink tiles -- the perfect growing conditions for mildew.
One morning I realized I was lathering up in a mildew grotto. I had let the dread of a big cleaning job create an even bigger cleaning job, until disgust overcame dread.
I don't want to ever again start my day with dread.
Now I scrub one wall every time I step in the shower. The task is small and quick, and I feel good about myself. The trick was to make it a habit by doing it every single time without fail.
I waste no energy gauging my dread, measuring mildew growth or deciding I'm not in the mood.
Why not spend some quality time daily with the mildew on your self-acceptance when you're in the shower?
Self-acceptance won't happen if you let crappy thoughts and actions grow and take over. Scrub the negative thoughts about yourself daily when it's a small and easy task.
How?
Listen to yourself, feel all the feels, and then think of someone you love or admire. If they told you about the same mildew, how would you feel? How would you react? How would you show up for them and support them?
And when you're drying yourself off, show up for yourself in the same way. Voila! A small daily practice to feel better about yourself.
