What Is the Voice in Your Head Telling You?

Off and on, I struggle with depression.  Probably not the type that is severe enough to require therapists and drugs to get through, but enough to impact my life in a negative way.

When I feel depressed, there is a little voice in my head with a running commentary that goes something like this:

"You're worthless.  You're a loser.  You're fat and ugly.  You do nothing but make mistakes.  Everything you do is an epic fail.  Why should anyone love you?  You're not worthy.  You're a waste of oxygen."

Sad to say, sometimes I listen to this little voice.  Sometimes, I even believe the things it says.  And on those days, my ability to cope with life and all the little problems and aggravations that come with it is severely impacted.  I find myself feeling tired, run down, sad, tearful, a real self-pity-party.  And I really hate that.  Because you know what?  I'm not a failure, I'm not a mistake, I'm not worthless, I'm not unloveable, I'm not fat and ugly (ok, maybe a little fluffy :)

And deep down inside, I know these things.  But that little voice wants me to believe a lie.

Where does that little voice come from?  Guilt over mistakes made in the past, feelings of inadequacy, fear of the future...I don't know.  What I do know, is that I can tell that little voice to go take a hike.

How?  Well, I can tell you the things that I do that work for me, at least most of the time:

1.  Take a walk, enjoy nature, get away from the house and the computer and the problems that are bugging me.

2.  Do something - anything! - that will make me feel that I've accomplished something, no matter how small.

3.  Look in the mirror and say to myself, "You are a good person, and you are worthy of being loved.  You are fine, just the way you are."  Replace the negative voice with positive thoughts.

4.  Focus on the good things I've done, rather than the mistakes.  Make a list if I have to.

5.  Talk to my husband, who is my biggest supporter and fan.

Now, I know that I am not the only one who hears this little voice.  So say something nice about and to yourself today.  And share what you do to banish the negativity.

Whether you are Christian or not, I hope you enjoy this song because you truly are Beautiful!