Promote acceptance and friendly thinking

• Self-observation: Start by observing your thoughts. Which ones are negative, accusatory, or self-critical? Where do you tell yourself stories about how you should be further along, how you're not good enough, how your security is threatened, etc.? Where do you tell yourself that your worth depends on something external or on something you've or haven't achieved? (Hint: Your value is given and beyond all these ideas and evaluations)

• Write down your stressful thoughts about yourself and examine them: In my experience, writing down stressful thoughts is an important step in becoming aware of how many stressful, fearful, and depressing stories I tell myself about myself (and others). As long as I believe these stories (even if only partially), they stand like a facade between me and the direct experience of my self-worth, self-love, and acceptance. Once I've identified these stressful thoughts and put them on paper, I can examine them using The Work by Byron Katie | Inquiry Based Stress Reduction. Hundreds of experiences from my own inner work have taught me that I've emerged from each 'examination' feeling freer, lighter, more peaceful, or clearer (I'll call it with more self-love).



• Mindfulness and meditation: As you become more mindful and alert, you may notice where you're believing stressful thoughts about yourself, be patient with yourself. Just as we may have practiced all of our stressful thoughts about ourselves since childhood, we can now practice letting go of these stressful thoughts one by one. Every step toward greater freedom and self-love is worth it.