Hi Rusty, just wanted to add that something that helps me a lot with negative self talk is imagining saying those things to five year old me. I recoil from it because it's just a kid wanting to explore, love, have fun and play. That kid isn't unworthy, or unlovable. I often find a lot of the thoughts I have when I'm at my most vulnerable; ie. 'what's wrong with me?', 'i miss cuddling someone', 'am i doing something wrong?', 'but what if --- happens?', all sound like they could come from a kid who needs reassurance from an adult. So i imagine what I'd do if a little kid version of me came to me with those questions and I do that for myself. Reassuring myself, finding a safe space like a garden, comfortable chair, getting a cup of milo, finding a teddy or animal to cuddle, playing a favorite show, or anything else that might have given me comfort as a kid. It's a lot harder to hate yourself when you consider yourself from the perspective of just a grown up kid who still needs a bit of help and reassurance sometimes. hope that helps, I got it from my counselor at some point.
