Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda: The Comedy of 'Should' Statements

“Yeew” is what I think of when I think of those pesky "should" statements that tend to dominate our inner dialogue. But fear not, we're not here to bore you with serious stuff – there'll be plenty of humor to keep things interesting!

Imagine this: You're cruising through your day when suddenly, anxiety or disappointment crashes the party in your mind. Cue the spotlight on those "should" statements, rolling out like a never-ending script you never asked for.

"I should've handled that better." "I should be farther along in my career." "I should have all the answers by now." Sound familiar? It's like a broken record, right?

But hold onto your hats, because we're about to flip the script. Get ready for the big reveal: "I would like to..."

"I would like to improve how I handle similar situations in the future." "I would like to keep growing in my career at my own pace." "I would like to remind myself that it's okay not to have all the answers right now."

Can you feel the weight lifting? By switching out those demanding "should" statements with a sprinkle of whimsy, we're giving ourselves permission to step off that exhausting treadmill of self-expectation and into a space of gentle self-reflection.

But let's not forget to add a little humor to the mix. After all, laughter is the best way to navigate life's ups and downs. So as you go about your day and keep an ear out for those sneaky "shoulds," treat them to a playful rewrite. For example, if you catch yourself thinking, "I should have finished that project already," you could reframe it as, "Well, I guess my inner overachiever decided to take a coffee break on that one!" Notice how this simple tweak brings a sense of ease and self-compassion to your thoughts. Do you notice a sense of lightness or relief? Does the humorous twist help you take the pressure off yourself?

Remember that it's okay to not have everything figured out. Embrace the imperfections and give yourself permission to be human. Laugh at your quirks and mistakes, knowing that they're all part of the journey.

If you're craving more support or simply want to share your experiences with breaking free from the "should" cycle, drop me a message HERE. Let's keep this conversation rolling together. Remember, your path to greater self-awareness and self-compassion is just a playful rewrite away. Let's dive in!