
How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t
Andrea Owen
What's inside?
Discover and break free from the 14 common habits that are preventing you from achieving true happiness and self-fulfillment.
You'll learn
Key points
01Don't be too hard on yourself: manage your inner critic
Hey, let's talk about being your own worst enemy. You know, that little voice in your head that loves to point out all your flaws and mistakes? Yeah, that one. It's time to put that jerk in its place. Here's how: 1. Spot the Jerk: First things first, you gotta know when you're being a jerk to yourself. This is when you're telling yourself you're not good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough. Newsflash: no one ever got happy or successful by constantly putting themselves down. The road to a kickass life is built with self-love, kindness, and compassion. 2. Know Your Buttons: We all have those things that set off our inner jerk. It could be certain situations, people, or even times of the day. Figure out what these are for you, so you can be ready to handle them. Like, if you know you're a jerk to yourself after work meetings, plan to counter that with some positive self-talk or a little self-care. 3. Stick With It: Changing how you talk to yourself isn't a quick fix. It takes time, effort, and practice. You'll have good days and bad days. That's okay. The important thing is to keep at it and keep practicing being kind to yourself. 4. Use Power Phrases: Power phrases, or mantras, can help you fight off that inner jerk. These are positive things you tell yourself, like "I am enough" or "I am capable". When you hear that jerk starting to talk, shut it down with your power phrase. 5. Write Yourself a Love Letter: This is a really cool way to be kind to yourself. Write a letter to yourself about a time you felt like you messed up. But instead of being a jerk about it, write the kind, supportive words you'd want to hear from a friend. It's a great way to see yourself in a kinder light. 6. Forgive Yourself: Lastly, let go of past mistakes. Holding onto guilt or regret just gives that inner jerk more ammo. Forgiving yourself can be tough, and you might need some help from a therapist or counselor. That's totally okay. So, there you have it. Spot the jerk, know your buttons, stick with it, use power phrases, write yourself a love letter, and forgive yourself. By doing these things, you can tell that inner jerk to take a hike and start living a happier, more fulfilling life.
02Don't hide away: isolation isn't your shield
Hey, let's talk about this sneaky habit we all have - self-isolation. You know, when we hide away from the world, sometimes without even realizing it. Why do we do this? Fear of judgment, rejection, failure - you name it. But understanding why we do this is the first step to breaking free from it. So, how do we break free? It's all about being brave and vulnerable. It's about facing those walls we've built around ourselves. You know, those emotional barriers like fear, insecurity, or self-doubt. We think they're protecting us, but they're actually holding us back from connecting with others and finding real happiness. Now, being brave and vulnerable isn't about getting it right the first time. It's about trying, messing up, and trying again. It's this cycle of trial and error that helps us grow and overcome self-isolation. To help us along the way, we need what's called "compassionate witnesses". These are a couple of people in our lives who we trust and feel comfortable sharing our experiences with. They're there to listen to our struggles, validate our feelings, and provide emotional support. They're there to witness our pain and struggles, making us feel seen and heard. But remember, people aren't mind readers. They might not realize they're not being supportive unless you tell them what you need. If you need them to just listen, say so. If you need a hug, ask for it. Open communication is key here. So, to sum it up, if you want to stop feeling crappy and start feeling happy, you've got to tackle self-isolation head-on. This means being brave and vulnerable, finding support from compassionate witnesses, and communicating your needs effectively. It's not easy, but it's definitely worth it.

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03Are your coping mechanisms helping or hurting?
04Stop the comparison game: it's a mind trap
05Are you your own worst enemy? Stop self-sabotage
06Feeling like a fake? Tackle the imposter syndrome
07Stop the people-pleasing: you're not a circus act
08Break free from the perfectionism trap
09Drop the tough act: it's okay to be vulnerable
10Let go of the reins: you can't control everything
11Stop expecting the worst: not everything's a disaster
12Quit the blame game: own your actions
13Ditch the cynicism: it's not a good look
14Overachieving isn't everything: find balance
15Live by your values: they're your compass
16Conclusion
About Andrea Owen
Andrea Owen is a life coach, author, and speaker, focusing on empowering women to overcome life's challenges. She is known for her straightforward, relatable style, and her work centers on self-awareness, resilience, and personal growth. She is the author of several self-help books.