How to Stop Shoulding All Over Yourself

Are you often thinking about what you “should” or “should” not be doing?

Does your self-talk go something like this:

• I grabbed that peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I should have had a salad.

• I said blank, but I should’ve said blank.

• I’m taking a few minutes to write in my journal, but I should be cleaning the kitchen.

• I’m watching All American or The Crown, but I should be getting the workstation ready for the kid’s (home)school day tomorrow.

Fill in the blank…

“I’m doing this, but I should be doing that.”

This is a sure sign that you are not in the moment and filling your mind with regrets. Your self-talk, whether spoken in your mind or out loud, is not serving you. In fact, it’s causing you unnecessary stress. Because, guess what, you get to decide what you will put in your mouth, what you will do with your time, what you might need to do in that particular moment.