I hear my inner voice once again telling me that I just “screwed up” or “boy, that was a bone-headed move”. The term idiotic often comes up in my internal conversations. There is no way I would speak this harshly to my husband, what makes it okay to do it to myself?

Those negative words are powerful. They are tied to negative emotions that infiltrate my thoughts throughout the day. My self-image is damaged when I berate myself for mistakes or perceived failures. This mindset is unhealthy, unproductive and creates unnecessary stress in all my dealings, including those with my husband. According to an article on the Mayo Clinic website, turning those negative patterns around can help me live a longer, healthier and happier life. Positive self-talk can be where it all starts.

My husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis provides me with plenty of negative opportunities. I can allow those things to influence my thoughts or I can try to take a different, gentler approach. Rather than considering myself an idiot for making mistakes, I will try to look at myself with kindness and understanding. I need to consider that I am a student still learning the many lessons of life. In that scenario, the more mistakes I make the better because that is how I learn best. So, bring it on PD, I plan to be your star pupil!

To see the entire article, click here- Positive thinking: Reduce stress by eliminating negative self-talk – Mayo Clinic.