BY JUDY WILKINS-SMITH

Most of us trash-talk ourselves on a regular basis. And if you think that is an exaggeration, just stop to think how many times you got scared, sad, mad, dropped something, did something clumsy or unwise and instantly name-called yourself for it. Like“ You scaredy cat” or“ You dimwit!” or“ You loser!” or worse?

Or maybe you got frustrated by someone or something and had a bunch of negative thoughts come up? Or how about at the end of the day you say to yourself,“ I’ m exhausted. I can’ t do one more thing or talk to one more person. I’ m done!”

You might say,“ Oh, that’ s just a normal kind of thing to think when you’ re tired.” Well, it may be normal. But is it empowering? No, it’ s not.

How about closing a busy day with thoughts like,“ Wow. That was a lot on my plate today, but I got SO much stuff done! I’ m so proud of myself! I think I’ m just going to be quiet for a while.”

Quite a difference, eh?

Or how many times do you tell yourself,“ I can’ t, I won’ t, I shouldn’ t, I don’ t deserve, I don’ t belong, I’ m unworthy, I’ m not smart enough, I’ m too scared,” etc.? Too many times?