When you want something from a stranger, you know you must be kind in making the ask. Of yourself, however, you demand instant performance. You lie awake at night, berating yourself: “Go back to sleep, you idiot!” Why not try what has worked flawlessly with other people for decades?
“Dear body, dear brain, might the two of you work together in helping me go back to sleep? That’d be awesome. Sleep is part of the solution, not the problem, you know? Worrying at night gets me nowhere, so if we could all pull together here, that would be amazing. Thank you so much!”
There’s no guarantee being kind to yourself will work, but it’s almost certain yelling at the mirror will not. Ask yourself nicely, and you may discover your subconscious was your ally all along.
