LEA WEST

Today’s prompt is more about an action than the written word.

Research has shown that when a woman criticizes herself, those around her tend to participate in their own self-criticism.

I think we all do this. If someone is talking about their home is never clean enough, it surfaces some self reflection on how ours might not be either. Anyone raising kids or pets has probably had a similar experience of “yikes, don’t look at my house” when these conversations arise.

It all feeds the feeling of “not enough.”

Today’s prompt is about not joining in when a woman talks negatively about themselves. Don’t participate in the self-body bashing that is easy to partake in.

This one I seem to have a good hold on. When a woman talks about herself in a certain light, I don’t reflect on myself – because the conversation is about her. I try to be supportive in keeping my opinions out of the equation. Instead, I ask questions.

Why do you feel that way?

What do you want to change?

What makes you happy?

Easy right? While I have done work in this department, I acknowledge where my growth is: giving myself that kind of questioning when I participate in negative self-talk.

**This is part of a series that uses “beautiful you – a daily guide to Radical Self-Acceptance” by Rosie Molinary as a model for prompts to look inward. Here’s why.**