Unfortunately, this friend has also absorbed cultural norms and standards that can cause a person to look at their body, relationships, life goals, and other facets in their life, in an unfavorable and unrealistic light. This is where we need to remember, if this voice is speaking up, they are woefully misinformed about where true happiness lies and what gratitude can bring. Just as we’d remind a pessimistic friend about the positives, we can do this to ourselves. Thank our bodies for their ability to move us through our days, thank our wrinkles for marking the passage of time and the privilege to cultivate them, thank our unions and friendships for sustaining and supporting us. Honor your own processes and pace, realizing only you know what directions and cadence are best for you. Taking the time to explain this gratitude to your inner critic can be an exercise in self-acceptance. While our inner critic may be noisier during times of growth, showing it (and ourselves) a little compassion can work wonders. And over time, this noisy friend may find less and less to be worried about and you’ll find more time to say “I can” and “I will.”
“Honor your own processes and pace, realizing only you know what directions and cadence are best for you. ” 43