#2 How Self-Aware Are You?

Try Self-Love

In the second episode of Try Self-Love, coaches Kristen and Becky help you become more self-aware with three simple steps. You can’t change things unless you’re aware of the problem. Becky hates the word, “should” and Kristen wants you to make yourself the focus of your life (in a healthy way, of course). Once you’re in touch with your feelings it’s much easier to offer yourself compassion, understanding and some love!

Episode 2 is all about rebuilding your foundation so that self-love is possible. The first step to making any changes is to become aware of what you’re doing that you don’t like. As Kristen says, make yourself the focus of your own life. Through self-discovery we uncover who we are, what we like and don’t like, why we do the things we do.

When you can understand why you’re doing something then you’re able to access compassion for yourself, particularly the wounds you carry. To help you with this, Becky developed a thought journal that you can download. As you practice paying attention to unwanted behaviors or feelings, you can dive deeper into the thoughts behind them.

For example: when you are pounding potato chips or shoveling in some oreos (without really tasting them) try to “scratch the record” as Becky and Kristen say; try to get your own attention. Ask yourself: why am I doing this? What am I feeling right now that led me to grabbing food and stuffing my emotions down?

Let’s say you get your answer, perhaps, “I feel anxious.” Okay, let’s figure out why you feel anxious. What thoughts were you thinking that led to you feeling anxious? What were you telling yourself? No matter your behavior or feelings - it all begins with the thoughts.

We also learned about ANTs - automatic negative thoughts. We have so many negative thought patterns that we don’t even register when we’ve begun to play our “greatest hits,” as Becky calls them, the endless berating of ourselves for every mistake we’ve ever made. Once you start being mean to yourself, all your regrets want to come pile on top, too. Stopping these ANTs takes time, but the first step is being aware of them.