Breathing is surviving as it reaches our consciousness.
On self-talk phrase that turns self-hate into self-love and then self-care.
“Inhale, my friend; exhale, my friend.”
The idea was to notice my breathing consciously in the moment and combine that with referring to myself with tenderness.
You can substitute other words for “my friend,” such as “my dear,” “my love,” “kiddo,” or even your own name. Whichever you choose, here’s how this deceptively simple phrase can transform the way you treat yourself, and others.
Calling yourself “my friend” or “my love” provides a framework for relating to yourself with kindness, friendliness, and encouragement. That feeling is spacious enough to recognize that things might be truly hard, even awful. But the phrase helps us access a deep gentleness that doesn’t expect cheerfulness in every moment. As I silently say the words “my friend” or “my love” to myself, I’m reinforcing the kind of relationship I want to have with myself, as well as the kind of self-talk that can cultivate it.
“Inhale, my friend; exhale, my friend” that appeals to me is its emphasis on the present moment: this one, my very present breath that is only happening right now.
Life Lesson: taking a moment to breathe, to rest, shifts my attention from external stress to internal coping. I’m grounded.
