I don’t know about you, but I am my own worst critic.

There are days where I stand in front of the mirror and a dozen hurtful thoughts surge through my mind.

“Why can’t your _____ be bigger?”

“Why can’t your ______ be smaller?”

“Why aren’t you as _______ as her?”

“You could be a way better _________.”

Can you relate?

Maybe those blanks are filled with different words for you but hold just as much power.

As a new mommy this voice of doubt feels louder than ever.

“Why aren’t you as _____ as that mom?”

“Are you doing _____ right?”

“Is _____ really the best option?”

Sometimes I go to bed wondering if I am succeeding as a mom or failing all together.

But I’ve learned a trick that always seems to quiet that evil voice of doubt.

I ask myself …

“Would you say this to your best friend?”

The answer is usually a resounding ‘no’.

It is so easy to see the good in others and the flaws in ourselves. We would never think, let alone say, the evil things we say about ourselves to our best friend.

It is my mission to treat myself with the same type of love, compassion and support that I show my friends.

Sometimes I need a pep-talk, too!

Kate Brown