We can be our own worst critics. It's important to remember there's still a core you despite the pain and to be kind to yourself..

What you can do

• Write down your positive qualities and accomplishments – what’s good about you. Sometimes we can be own worst critics.
• Balance expectations.
• It’s okay to not be perfect – everything doesn’t have to be in place.
• Say “no” if you need to.
• Accept help.
• Forgive yourself (sometimes we are our own worse critics).
• Eat healthy.
• Sleep better with these tips.
• Talk with your loved ones about your needs and challenges without complaining. We don’t want sympathy, we want understanding.
• Reward yourself and celebrate your successes, no matter how small.
• Check out these helpful self-compassion exercises and practices from Dr. Kristin Neff.
• Read this article "The Role of Self-Compassion in Chronic Illness Care".

I was recently honored to be a guest on the Compass Opioid Stewardship Program podcast hosted by Dr. Rachael Duncan, PharmD. and Dr. Don Stader.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity and blessed to be able to share my story with clinicians. I'm also thankful for the generosity of Dr. Stader. You'll find out what he offered me at the end of the podcast. It brought me to tears.

You can listen to the podcast episode on Apple, Spotify, and Libsyn via the links below:

• Apple
• Spotify
• Libsyn

Check out the entire podcast series. 

Learn more about the Compass Opioid Stewardship Program.
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