We should have put ourselves in timeout

I walked through the grocery store feeling pretty down on myself. Sometimes I am not happy with how I handled a conflict with my husband. Today is one of those days.

I hold myself to such a high standard. I expect that because I am a trained therapist that I need to do a stellar job handling conflicts with my husband, my children, and anyone else I may get upset with. I expect so much of myself. I beat myself up as I shopped.

I am practicing taking control of my thoughts. I heard myself being very critical of myself. I decided that it wasn’t helping me. It was just making me feel badly and nothing good could come of all my self criticism. I decided it was time to dust myself up, pick myself up, allow myself to be human, and to work towards doing better next time.

We ruminate on situations:

I should have done this.

I should have said this.

Why did I let that happen?

Why did I say that?

Why did I act like that?

Why wasn’t I calmer?

I can do better.