My brain, having a meltdown like a toddler: I just can’t do it! I don’t want to !! I can’t!!
Me, parenting my tired toddler brain: Take a deep breath, it’s going to be ok. We don’t have to do everything today that’s overwhelming you. Let’s pick the most important thing to work on, ok? What’s the smallest step we can do to work towards that?
My toddler brain, wiping away tears: Um, I think we should…open up the important spreadsheet and look at the first row.
Me, parenting my tired toddler brain: Great! Let’s do that, and then we can have a popsicle, ok?
My toddler brain: *nods through drying tears, upset, but cooperative*
THIS IS HOW YOU MINDFULLY ACCEPT YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS, THOUGH.
I’m a clinical psychologist, and I use this example with literally everyone I work with where the goal is to give thoughts and feelings space in a non-judgmental way. We literally never grow out of this need for compassion, but when we become adults we must become skilled in giving that same compassion to ourselves.
