Day 9

Banish the Bully in Your Head

Imagine you have a parrot. This parrot repeats everything you say about yourself, over and over again. It comments on your life, especially the things that go wrong.

For example, you snap at a co-worker and say something you later regret. The parrot squawks, “You can’t handle a tough day without a cigarette. You’re just not a nice person without your fix. You can’t change. You’re going to be this way forever.”

How do you feel? How long would you put up with this parrot? Don’t put up with a bully in your head. Notice this “parrot” and cover the cage to silence it. Dispute these unhelpful thoughts. Remind yourself of your strengths and what you are working to improve.

Today’s Affirmation:

I control how I think about myself.

I choose kindness and believe in myself.