Caleb Nelson’s original artwork: Internal Dialogue

How Do You Speak to Yourself?

February 13, 2025•1 min read

Originally shared February 13, 2025 in the Naked Sunday Newsletter. Adapted for the journal.

Caleb Nelson’s original artwork: Internal Dialogue

If someone spoke to your best friend the way you talk to yourself, would you let it slide?

Didn’t think so.

But here’s the reality—your internal dialogue runs the show. It dictates how you show up, whether you take risks, whether you ask for what you actually want. And if that voice in your head is constantly tearing you down, it’s keeping you stuck.

A client told me recently that her focus for 2025 is improving her internal dialogue. She realized she’s been her own worst critic, undercutting herself before she even gets started.

“That wasn’t good enough.”

“You should have done more.”

“They’re going to figure out you don’t deserve this.”

She’s successful by every external measure. But inside? That voice is relentless.

Sound familiar?

Most people don’t realize it, but that voice isn’t you.

It’s a collection of past criticisms, fears, and limiting beliefs you’ve absorbed over the years. You weren’t born doubting yourself. You were taught to.

It’s time to rewrite the script.

For the next 24 hours, I want you to pay attention to how you talk to yourself. No judgment—just awareness.

And when you catch yourself going negative, ask:

Is this actually true? (Spoiler: It probably isn’t.)

Would I say this to someone I care about?

What’s a more useful way to reframe this?

Small shifts in how you speak to yourself change everything.

Your confidence. Your decisions. The way you carry yourself in a room.

This is the real work. Change the way you speak to yourself, and you change the way you show up for your entire life.

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Until next time…

Love. Every. Body.

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