Do you disapprove of yourself to protect yourself?

Disapproving of ourselves is an expensive and common habit.

I, like many of you, am exceptional at it.

Looking for problems and focusing on our shortcomings helped push us through the hard of professional training and the often unreasonable expectations of our jobs.

Disapproving of ourselves does not lead us to presence, connection, or a satisfying life.

Disapproving of myself is also not what I want to be modeling for my children or for all of you.

We often disapprove of ourselves to protect ourselves from the pain of someone else disapproving of us.

We beat them to it.

Just in case they might have a negative thought about us.

We ensure our perceived deficiencies are attended to.

Are you constantly checking to see if you measure up, are doing a good job, or if you belong?

What you pay attention to is your life.

Is pre-disapproving of yourself and constantly noticing perceived inadequacies in yourself what want to be paying attention to as you move through each day of your “one wild and precious life?”