Posted by TherapyGirl on March 8, 2006, at 19:20:07
In reply to Thought for today...(About self image/self esteem), posted by Racer on March 8, 2006, at 18:30:13
Racer, I'm new here, so forgive me if this doesn't apply to you. For me, when I'm doing that, I'm almost literally playing the tapes of my mother's voice in my head -- the voice that spent all of my growing up years telling me I wasn't good enough. I was smart, but I was lazy. I was overweight. I was a liar. I was not as good as my brothers. If I did something "good," she would immediately remind everyone present about what I did "bad." The list goes on and on. I am constantly amazed at how strong the voice still can be.
I had a discussion with my T about this several months ago. I was saying that I had to learn how to shut that voice the h*ll up. She said the goal shouldn't be to shut it up (because that's almost impossible), but to not argue with it. She wants me to practice saying things to it like, "That's your opinion, but it's really not helpful." In other words, I have to find ways to minimize its impact on my psyche. I'm still struggling with that.
Sorry if I'm way off base with this, but your post reminded me of that voice.
poster:TherapyGirl
thread:617664
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060225/msgs/617701.html