Do you give yourself a hard time?

What you do when you slip up? When you make a mistake, forget something, screw up, open your mouth and (metaphorically) put your foot in it, do something embarrassing, etc.

If you’re like most of us you give yourself a hard time about it. You pile on the guilt. Harangue yourself. Resort to endless self-criticism. Relive the awkward or embarrassing or failure moment over and over again.

All accompanied by the self talk: why can’t you ever get anything right! You stupid, stupid person! How can you be so foolish/silly/careless/short-sighted/… (plus anything else you’d like to add). Continue reading →