Present Me: I don’t know why, but I’m my own worst critic. No matter what I do, I feel like it’s not enough. My mind is constantly full of self-doubt and harsh words. How do I stop being so hard on myself?

Future Me: I hear you. And I want you to know that I’ve been there. But I need you to understand something important: the way you speak to yourself shapes the way you see yourself. If you keep feeding your mind with criticism, self-doubt, and negativity, you’re only making your journey harder. You deserve kindness—from others, yes, but especially from yourself.

Present Me: I guess I never thought about it that way. I just assumed that being tough on myself would push me to do better.

Future Me: That’s a common misconception. Holding yourself accountable is one thing, but tearing yourself down is another. You wouldn’t talk to a close friend the way you talk to yourself, would you? If they made a mistake, would you tell them they’re worthless? If they were struggling, would you call them a failure? No. You’d encourage them, remind them of their strengths, and support them. You need to extend that same grace to yourself.

Present Me: But what if I don’t feel like I deserve it? Sometimes it feels like I’m just making excuses if I go easy on myself.

Future Me: Speaking kindly to yourself isn’t about making excuses. It’s about recognizing your humanity. You are not perfect, and that’s okay. Growth doesn’t come from self-hatred; it comes from self-compassion. When you treat yourself with kindness, you build the resilience to keep going, even when things don’t go as planned.

Present Me: That sounds nice in theory, but how do I actually do that? How do I change the way I talk to myself?

Future Me: It takes practice, just like anything else. Here are some things that helped me:

1. Notice Your Inner Dialogue: Start paying attention to the way you talk to yourself. When you catch yourself being overly critical, pause and ask: “Would I say this to someone I love?” If the answer is no, reframe it. Instead of “I’m so stupid for making that mistake,” try “I’m human, and mistakes help me learn.”

2. Replace Self-Criticism with Encouragement: Every time you notice a negative thought, counter it with something positive. For example, if you think, “I’m never going to get this right,” replace it with, “I may not have it yet, but I’m learning and improving.” Your words have power—use them to lift yourself up, not tear yourself down.

3. Celebrate Your Small Wins: Stop waiting for big achievements to validate yourself. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. Every step forward is worth celebrating. Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, take a moment to recognize what you have accomplished.

4. Practice Self-Compassion: On hard days, remind yourself that struggling doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human. Be patient with yourself. If you wouldn’t criticize a friend for going through a tough time, don’t do it to yourself. Speak to yourself with the same kindness you would offer someone else.

5. Create Positive Affirmations: Write down affirmations that remind you of your worth. Repeat them daily, even if they feel strange at first. Phrases like “I am enough,” “I am learning and growing every day,” and “I deserve kindness and respect” can help rewire your thinking over time.

6. Surround Yourself with Positivity: The people you spend time with and the content you consume influence your mindset. Choose environments that uplift and encourage you. Limit exposure to negativity and seek out people who remind you of your strengths.

7. Give Yourself Permission to Rest: Being kind to yourself also means knowing when to step back. Rest is not a reward for hard work—it’s a necessity. Don’t push yourself to exhaustion just to feel worthy. You deserve care and rest simply because you are human.

Present Me: This is a lot to think about. I’ve spent so much time being hard on myself that I don’t know if I can just change overnight.

Future Me: And you don’t have to. Change happens little by little. You won’t undo years of self-criticism in a day, but every time you choose kindness over harshness, you’re making progress. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s growth.

Present Me: What if I slip back into old habits? What if I still struggle with negative self-talk?

Future Me: You will. And that’s okay. Healing isn’t linear. Some days will be easier than others. The important thing is that you keep going. When you catch yourself falling back into negativity, don’t beat yourself up about it—just gently remind yourself to shift your perspective.

Present Me: I really want to learn how to do this. I want to be kinder to myself, not just for my sake, but because I know it will help me grow.

Future Me: And you will. It starts with a choice—a choice to change the way you see yourself. The world can be harsh, but you don’t have to be. You deserve to be your own biggest supporter. So be patient with yourself, speak to yourself with kindness, and trust that you are enough, just as you are.

Present Me: Thank you. I needed to hear this.

Future Me: Anytime. And remember—you are worthy of kindness, especially from yourself.

More Read………………..the Book of Believe, Play , Plan, Execute: A Conversation with My Future Self