Curse of the 'Should'

“I should…”

“I must…”

“I have to…”

Whenever we ‘should’ ourselves, we end up shaming ourselves to do something, instead of doing it because we want to. We criticise ourselves into it, and slow cook that negative self-talk over the long term.

So when you catch yourself saying it, instead try:

• “I could…”
• “I would prefer to…”

And as this blog suggests:

• “I want…”
• “It is important to me that I…”
• “I find value in doing…”
• “It would be meaningful for me to…”
• It will bring me joy to…”

Since you’re around yourself 24/7, might as well treat it nicely.