Hey there First name / friend, 

 

I don’t know know about you, but so far, my summer has been PACKED!

 

First, I spent two weeks in Flordia with my partner's family, then five weeks in Colorado co-facilitating an amazing life changing retreat for young adults (see my previous email for details), then I jetted back to Sacramento where I jumped into co-facilitating another retreat at the Authentic Leadership Center. 

 

All this on top of seeing clients, caring for myself, keeping up a long distance relationship and working on my book. 🥵

 

So, what happened next? 

 

I got sick – a classic move.

 

When I was young, my mom used to call this pattern, “go, go, go, go, CRASH." 

 

I am sure no one else here can relate to that. 🙄

 

But what was interesting about this rendition of the pattern, was that when I did crash, (ie: sitting in my car at the gas station sobbing on the phone to my partner while fending off a cold) my Inner Critic had something to say.

 

Usually when I crash, I can willingly accept I need a break without criticism. 

 

But not this time.

 

This time my critic made his points loud and clear: I should complete my commitment, even if I am sick. I should be taking better care of myself. I should be strong enough to handle everything on my calendar. 

 

AND I should have known better than to think I could pull off two months of intense work, with hardly any breaks. 🤦🏻‍♀️

 

Geez, my critic is so critical that it judges me for both doing too much and for thinking I could do it all. 

 

So, what did I do? 

 

I let myself sit in the misery for a bit. I let myself cry. I let myself be tired. I let myself feel confused about all the ways I should have done better. 

 

 

The real truth – the reality of the situation – which is: I am human. And I am ok, even if I get sick, Even if I get tired, and Even if I break my commitments.

 

And, I don’t need to shame myself when those things happen because I am doing my best and my best is enough. 

After that, I slept most of the day, binge watched cheesy TV and the next day woke up feeling refreshed and relatively healthy! 💪

 

The body often knows more than the mind and we need to trust that wisdom. 

 

But it can be hard to overcome that mental hardwiring!

 

So if you want some tips on how to help your Inner Critic chill out a bit, then check out my free download called 5 Steps to Befriending Your Inner Critic. 

 

Take a look and let me know how it goes! 

 

If you like it, send it to a friend who could use some help in that department too. 

 

And also, if you're feeling a burned out and need a bit of a rest day, then please, consider this your permission to do so. You have to take care of you so you can continue to show up where you're needed most.  🙏

PS: For more on the Inner Critic, check out Episode 21 of the Wholistic Approach to Healing podcast where psychologist Chris Mathe explains why the critic is there, how it works and leads you through a compassionate 

guided meditation on the topic too.