As I approach an entirely new decade of life, a new year, and ten years since my college graduation, it’s easy to reflect on the bad, and to see where I’ve messed up, personally and professionally.

Some of my biggest perceived failures:

Still having college debt 10 years later from a degree I’m not using.

Putting a ton of energy into a hobby blog that hasn’t yet become what I hope it does.

Multiple side hustles that never took off, from selling at craft fairs to network marketing.

Spending a whole summer attempting to merge teaching with blogging, and self publishing a 50 page blogging eBook about how to make money working from home, that I can’t even give away for free.

You loser! How have you fallen so short? Why can’t you ever stick with anything?

You’re not good enough.

You’re flippant and lazy.

Nobody likes you.

You’re ugly. And stupid. And worthless.

My inner critic can be helpful towards my personal growth, but she can also be a real bully.

To my inner critic: Your words are hurtful. I am capable. I am loved. I am worthy of success. It’s ok to be on the journey but to have not yet arrived. I am a work in progress. I don’t have to be perfect to be good.

What’s something your inner critic needs to hear? Leave in a comment.