Self Criticism, an Overwhelmed Mind, and How it Leads to Self Destruction...

“I am bored.”

This is simply not a statement I can relate to. Unfortunately, it is not because I’m just that productive 24/7, or even a large chunk of time. I deeply struggle with learning how to “shut my brain off.” I have a million “ideas,” and want to explore all of them. When it’s time to rest, have fun, or decompress, I struggle, because I have programmed my mind to believe that I have not “earned” those “luxuries.” There is simply too much to do that I’ve yet to finish (or start). Unfortunately, that ultimately ends up with me getting barely anything accomplished. Sooo...the vicious cycle repeats itself. It has been a vicious cycle that has taken a lot of self reflection to change. I had to dig deep, asking myself some very important questions.

Do you relate? Are you, also, are feeling overworked and run down? Are you ready to NOT feel so overwhelmed, and to be able to allow yourself to take time for yourself, NOT feeling bad about it? If so, just take a FEW minutes to read this. You may not “have time,” but these questions will help you utilize your time in a different way; one that will ultimately change your life, as it is mine. It takes persistence and dedication, for it it not easy. BUT, it is worth it. Take it from someone who has been there, and is finally beginning to dig herself out.

So, if you can relate, pause. Ask yourself, and seriously reflect upon, the following questions:

• What do we typically do when we notice that our phone, computer,etc has little to no battery percentage remaining? We connect them to their respective chargers. Correct?

• What do we typically do if we realize that our vehicle is about to run out of gas? We find a nearby spot to refuel. Correct?

• What do we typically do if we see that a friend/family member/ loved one is burning themselves out because they never seem to allow themselves time to relax? We will likely tell them that they need to slow down, or they will never lose the burnout feeling. Correct?

• What do we typically do if we hear a friend really beating themselves up over missing a deadline that, in all honesty, they made for themselves? We remind them that great things take time, and cannot be created if they do not cut themselves more slack. We remind them that not everything they want to do is an immediate priority.

• What do you tell yourself when you find flaws in something you have worked so hard on? Is it a lost cause? Are you a lost cause, because you can’t get it right? Does that define your talent, and your worth? Are you destined to never improve, or should you obsessively try to do so?

Now, what do you tell a friend when they encounter the same situation? Are they a lost cause? Should they just give up, because if they’re not great at something immediately, there is no hope? Perhaps you would say those things, but I find it very doubtful.

When something needs a rest/recharge/refill, that is the seemingly only logical answer. These are situations we all know the answer for, understand them, accept them, and DO them, to avoid the inevitable consequences of not. Why am I asking this when its seemingly ‘common sense’ knowledge? What is my POINT?I ask bc of this...

If this is such ‘common sense’ knowledge, why do not apply this ideology to ourselves?

Why do push ourselves too hard when we just feel exhausted?

Why are our successes never good enough, and our failures are ‘proof’ that WE are not good enough? Meanwhile, the success of others, big and small, is admirable. The failures, for THEM, are “learning opportunities,” and occur because they are human. Are we not?

Why must we be good at something immediately, instead of trusting the process? What is wrong with growth? Isn’t that the must important lesson we can pull from something?

Why do we talk to ourselves in ways that we wouldn’t even talk to our enemies?

FINALLY, WHY DO WE TREAT OUR MATERIALISTIC POSSESSIONS WITH MORE ATTENTION AND CARE THAN WE DO OURSELVES? PEOPLE are literally priceless; MATERIALISTIC POSSESSIONS, by definition, have a monetary value.

Reflect upon these answers. Absorb their reality. Learn to love yourself, for WHO YOU ARE, and for WHO YOU ARE BECOMING. Give yourself the same love and understanding you give others. Give yourself the same patience. Give yourself the same recognition. You deserve it more than you currently realize, and you deserve to realize exactly why you do.

*Thank you for reading, and I hope you found some inspiration in this! If so, please check out some of my other writings! I also have an inspirational YouTube channel (Annie Mae Edwards); I’d love to see you join the family!