I don’t know anyone that doesn’t feel like a colossal failure/imposter at least some of the time. Especially this time of year and as you get older. Very well said. Seems like a worthwhile exercise to keep from dwelling on the “failures”.
This one really speaks to me… I have really struggled with being fixated on my failures. It’s almost like I’m addicted to feeling bad about myself (if that makes any sense). It’s very helpful to see that I’m not alone in these feelings. Your exercise is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
That makes perfect sense. If I'm note careful, it's very easy for me treat misery like a warm blanket that I wrap up myself up in. As if feeling bad almost feels good.
Thanks for writing about this and suggesting a specific action to acknowledge our successes as well as our failures.
When I was severely depressed, I started doing something I still do most nights when I go to bed. I make a list of my accomplishments that day, no matter how small. Then I list things or people I’m grateful for. Finally, I write affirmations I want to more fully believe, like “I am capable of doing (or coping with) x.”
At first, the accomplishments list was often limited to taking a shower and getting dressed. The gratitude list was just one thing, and I often struggled to come up with something. I usually didn’t write affirmations because I couldn’t think of anything positive I found remotely believable.
Now the accomplishments include doing the dishes or laundry, working on an article or responding to comments on one I’ve already published, going for a walk, tutoring (my very part-time job), participating in book club discussions, etc.
The gratitude list has grown from one to five items. Some days I write a particular affirmation over and over, and on others I write multiple ones.
It’s helped me focus on what I did get done instead of what I didn’t, what I’m grateful for instead of the bad stuff, and positive instead of negative thoughts about myself.
Thank you for writing this! I talk about reflection on my Substack, but I like the exercise you suggest to do something different from changing the label on the goal spreadsheet (not that I'VE ever done such a thing). 🥴
This is great, I will be trying this for sure. Thank you for sharing and know that your words matter and help people.
I don’t know anyone that doesn’t feel like a colossal failure/imposter at least some of the time. Especially this time of year and as you get older. Very well said. Seems like a worthwhile exercise to keep from dwelling on the “failures”.
This one really speaks to me… I have really struggled with being fixated on my failures. It’s almost like I’m addicted to feeling bad about myself (if that makes any sense). It’s very helpful to see that I’m not alone in these feelings. Your exercise is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
That makes perfect sense. If I'm note careful, it's very easy for me treat misery like a warm blanket that I wrap up myself up in. As if feeling bad almost feels good.
Thanks for writing about this and suggesting a specific action to acknowledge our successes as well as our failures.
When I was severely depressed, I started doing something I still do most nights when I go to bed. I make a list of my accomplishments that day, no matter how small. Then I list things or people I’m grateful for. Finally, I write affirmations I want to more fully believe, like “I am capable of doing (or coping with) x.”
At first, the accomplishments list was often limited to taking a shower and getting dressed. The gratitude list was just one thing, and I often struggled to come up with something. I usually didn’t write affirmations because I couldn’t think of anything positive I found remotely believable.
Now the accomplishments include doing the dishes or laundry, working on an article or responding to comments on one I’ve already published, going for a walk, tutoring (my very part-time job), participating in book club discussions, etc.
The gratitude list has grown from one to five items. Some days I write a particular affirmation over and over, and on others I write multiple ones.
It’s helped me focus on what I did get done instead of what I didn’t, what I’m grateful for instead of the bad stuff, and positive instead of negative thoughts about myself.
I’m not sure how you knew I needed to hear exactly this, but, here we are.
Thank you for writing this! I talk about reflection on my Substack, but I like the exercise you suggest to do something different from changing the label on the goal spreadsheet (not that I'VE ever done such a thing). 🥴
https://nancyscuri.substack.com/p/philosophy-in-my-rearview-mirror
I LOVE this exercise because it was incredibly cathartic and empowering to reframe the year. Thank you for sharing and for always pushing forward!