"I should" always...

These SHOULD statements can fuel anxiety by creating pressure and unrealistic expectations. 

But what if you could replace them with gentler, more compassionate thoughts? 🤔 

Ever catch yourself thinking:

‘I should always be happy,’ or

‘I should be the perfect partner, parent, or friend’?

We often use 'shoulds' or 'musts' to push ourselves, like 'I should never get tired' or 'I should always succeed.'

While some 'shoulds'—like being kind or responsible—are helpful, others create unrealistic expectations that make us anxious, stressed, and lower our confidence.

The problem comes when we pressure ourselves to meet impossible standards. After we tell ourselves what we should do, our inner critic shows up to remind us how we’re falling short.

Let’s drop the unrealistic 'shoulds' and give ourselves more grace.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash