Stop Being So Hard on Yourself: How to Handle Self-Diminishing Thoughts After 60

[@robinswaytoday]

I'm in a wheelchair and just joined the YMCA to exercise. Movement and setting goals to feel good helps me to get and stay centered.

[@Marykellogg]

Margaret you are such a blessing please know you are appreciated and loved!

[@sixtyandme]

Thank you so much DeAnna - that really means a lot to me! :-)

[@cynthiatzetzo1528]

I've always been my own worst enemy. My mom was very critical of me when I was growing up so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. I'm also going through a difficult time right now. However, i'm blessed to live in a warmer climate and be a member of an aquatic center. After an hour of swimming, I feel mentally refreshed and much more positive about life. It also gives me energy and keeps my 52 yo body somewhat in shape. I can't encourage people enough to consider swimming. Even if its just dog-paddling up and down the pool and using a kickboard. Anything in the water will doing your mind and body a lot of good!

[@ranitaa.8806]

I understand what you are saying.

[@susanprice6363]

I am 66 years old and spent most of my life feeling"not good enough". However, I now realise that I am good enough, in fact I am better!! it's never too late, Sue UK xx

[@jeanphilpot350]

This is a perfect topic for me today! I feel overwhelmed sometimes by life. I am a breast cancer survivor and my husband recently had a stroke. Finances have been dismal and I do beat myself up wishing I had done a better job of saving money. We never had a lot to begin with so medical bills have just been consuming me. I have three grown sons who would help, I'm sure, but I hate to ask, since they have their own lives. My husband feels so bad since he can't work and his disability check is really low. What I try to do everyday is count my blessings, of which I know I have many, and be positive. Your post does help me remember this. Thank you

[@sixtyandme]

Thank you very much Jean for sharing this - you definitely are a survivor!!! Take good care - sending extra hugs xxx

[@lifewithsandrahart]

JEAN OLIVEIRA It’s okay to share with your sons. That is what family is for. Even if only for emotional support. You were there for your children for so many years and if they don’t have the finances they and their families have love to give. Even that helps. God bless and stay strong. Sandta

[@kimberleebrooks-trakis9563]

I find that if people would turn OUTWARD, instead of INWARD, it helps to lift any feelings of self centered- loathing, or self diminishment. Try to help another soul, or pay it forward, put some good out into the world. This helps us celebrate being human beings in the true sense of the word.

[@karenjones1897]

hello! really well stated and suggested! thanks! ~k

[@ranitaa.8806]

I'm very hard on myself all the time. I wish I could give myself a bit of grace. There is enough pressures from the outside that we really don't need the inside pressures as well.

[@user-pw2dq4lf2p]

I think we have to ask ourselves, "would I treat a friend this way?" and if the answer is "no!" then we should show some love and respect to ourselves.

[@patriciaburke2401]

I try to keep a sense of humor about myself and my shortcomings. " Only God is perfect" is my mantra. When negative thoughts begin, I pull out my guitar, play, and sing! Fortunately, I don't believe anyone hears me. I also love to oil paint, use pastels, or just sketch. I remember someone coined the phrase " automatic negative thoughts " (ants). So, when those ants come around, I take out my guitar or art supplies and forget about it. Then, I thank God for everything good in my life, including you and other KZbinrs I enjoy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@JJJettplane]

Not wanting to come across conceited is exactly why I hold myself back and feed myself negative thoughts. I think I've been wracked with this all my life. My husband thinks I worry too much about what other's think, and he's probably right. Those of us who lived with very critical parents probably battle with this more. I did some mood therapy studies for a bit and discovered just how much self diminishing thinking I was doing. What a waste of time! Now I try and listen to those thoughts, ask myself if it's really true? and then turn the thought around. With practice it becomes so much easier, and somewhat automatic. You really hit the nail on the head today. Thank you!!

[@RetireCertain]

We all have those little negative voices in our heads that keep us stuck. The imposter syndrome is a big one. Yes, awareness is key! Thanks for addressing this Margaret.

[@shirleysinger839]

Thank you Margaret! I read a lot!! I have RA and Fibromyalgia and when I am immobile I read. I can go anywhere with a book!!! Love you Margaret and feel so blessed to have such a wonderful person in our lives!! XOXO

[@Ravenzpeak]

Well, due to health I had to retire early. I decided to make something beautiful every day if possible with artwork. Just focusing on the process of doing art and enjoying the peace of doing it has been so helpful in dealing with stress or negativity. So glad I found your channel! - Subscribed.

[@user-pw2dq4lf2p]

Hello Ravenzpeak, what a great idea. I think I will try to do likewise.

[@paulavukonich7679]

A hug to you, too. From my treadmill on a windy Idaho day. Have a great day.

[@karenjones1897]

truly an excellent topic, margaret! for so many of us, we are our own worst critic. i try to use cognitive recognition of my triggers so i can step back, mentally, and assess where this is coming from and how to stop the thought before i have a negative meltdown. sometimes, i succeed and some times i fail but, lord love a duck, i try to make the fail times short lived. i need to work on more self nourishing and self love. thanks so much! ~k

[@monalisa233]

I am always harder on myself than others. I do try to step back these days though and give myself a little kiss and forgive myself and move on. good Topic! Be kinder to yourself

[@californiaglo9666]

Thank you for this video. A 3-year relationship ended a few weeks ago. Today I was checked for cervical cancer; and won't know results for a few weeks. Feeling really stressed.

[@jt7129]

I know this video is older, but I want to say thank you for this. 🌷

[@genie674]

Timely video for me. Feeling overwhelmed with everything right now. So depressing. Some days harder than others. I never thought my life would be like this.

[@sixtyandme]

Take care Genie xx

[@genie674]

Sixty and Me thank you. x

[@cynthiatzetzo1528]

Hang in there! Life will get better for you even though you can't see it now. Just take one day at a time and try to make the best of it. Try to do something positive every day that will make you feel good.

[@genie674]

Cynthia Tzetzo I hope so! Thank you for your kind words. x

[@karenjones1897]

hi, genie! same boat here. at times it is really overwhelming. do what you enjoy, work on making yourself happy. enjoy some sun on your face. as one of my meditations says "you are not the only one". i hope that sounds positive and not negative. huge hugs! ~k

[@mysticalheart8107]

Thank you Margaret! I have a new mantra i learned from "A Better Life with Kat" (youtube channel). "I am powerful, i am loving, i am of a sound mind; i am a lion". I passed this on to our daughter and she loves it as well:-)

[@karenjones1897]

nice!!

[@mysticalheart8107]

Thanks Karen!

[@patriciasmiderle9181]

Margaret..thank you for all you do..you are very appreciated♥️

[@sixtyandme]

Thank you Patricia!

[@kathleenstevens9845]

I watch an online bible study called Fundamental Faith. This encourages me and cheers me up. Also I have a collection of coffee cups with encouraging words on them that I like. I babysit my daughter's baby, my grandbaby, 3 days a week. I'm 70 yrs old and it's hard but the baby's smile melts my heart💕

[@noushinmk4585]

You are simply brilliant 💕☀️🌸 Thank you darling Margaret for being here for us X

[@sixtyandme]

:-) thank you very much - your comments mean a lot to me. Glad you are here.

[@nancypalmierievans6333]

Thank you for this encouragement!

[@sixtyandme]

Thanks Nancy - have a wonderful day x

[@henriettalazo9243]

This is an excellent topic. Yes all the suggestions are so on. I also feel try to breathe. Take that important step of being grateful and thankful. It just seems to adjust one’s attitude. I’m well over sixty. I’m approaching 74. If we could just absorb the wonderful energy of positivity. Letting sunshine in and warming our souls. Thank you, Henrietta.

[@muhlenstedt]

Exact what I needed to hear today ! Thank you.

[@Lana0624]

Loved this video Margaret! Thank you for this channel! I so look forward to each video! xo

[@kaylovelady6981]

I thank God for you and your show Margaret. It's one of the highlights of my day. I always look forward to see what necklace you'll be wearing, and what cup you're drinking out of and what tea. But honestly, you're helpful advice really is a help to me. I'm surprised that I'm as much like other women as I am. Thank you.

[@veronicamelson7087]

Such an important message for us all today . Thank you.

[@christineschollar1317]

Just watched and listened to this and it has so resonated with me, especially regarding relationship decisions in the past, an extremely long time ago. Not sure why this has resurfaced and been playing on my mind. However finding this video has helped hugely. Thank you so very much. xx

[@maureenclayton8554]

Thank you Margaret. Maureen from New Zealand x

[@sixtyandme]

You are welcome Maureen - take care!

[@yvonnevandenherreweghe7031]

Present moment focus, dancing, healthy food all great ideas to be happy. I'd like to add my kids and my cat bring joy!

[@Chloe-w7n]

Coconut milk ice cream...it is the kindest choice. I love Soy Chocolate Icecream. Cows milk ice cream and products from mother cows milk really is for their babies., not us. Makes me sad people are oblivious to the cow's story of having her calves taken away at birth so she can be used as a milk machine. Not to mention the fate of male Bobby calves 😢

[@user-pw2dq4lf2p]

Margaret, thanks for the interesting and helpful talk. While I was watching it I was reminded of a technique that I came across decades ago. A friend was going through a tough time and decided to go for hypnotherapy. The therapist suggested to her that she imagine herself inside a protective bubble--she got to choose the color of the bubble! Anyway, the idea was that my friend would go through the day reminding herself that she was protected by this invisible barrier and no one could penetrate the bubble to hurt her. I thought it was a neat idea and now that I have recalled it I will try to implement it.

[@barbniantic]

I do feel that I am hard on myself. But, I find that when I eat healthy those times are less often. Unfortunately being on a fixed low income it is hard to always eat enough fruits and vegetables....but I do try to make that a priority.....

[@AnglkprJ11]

Thank you for this video! You are a special lady!

[@marywithee2335]

Your videos brighten my day! Thank you💖

[@laurensouthgate2458]

hi margaret love the necklace i am kind of hard on myself sometimes but i just talk to my freinds and i feel better.

[@teresasworld3374]

Another interesting video ... that I relate to. Many thanks. Tx

[@deeb8733]

Brand of coconut "icecream" !?

[@noreenn6976]

Dee B in USA Luna and Larry's is the best!