Gemma Speck

So how exactly are we going to start unlearning this?

Because I feel like I've just thrown a lot of negativity at you and you're probably sitting there being like, well, I guess I'm screwed because this is just who I am.

And I've always had these thoughts about myself.

I'm just a pessimistic person.

I don't think that's true.

I think you've been trained to feel that way.

I think you've been trained to think that is normal and trained to think that that is your status quo or how you just are.

Again, nobody is born hating themselves.

Like literally giving that child example again, at some point you switch over, but you can also rewire those patterns over time.

I think it's so worth saying like,

Again, you are capable of change.

All that information I've given you may lead you to believe that once this is entrenched, it is permanent.

We know scientifically that is also not the case.

As much as we see evidence for it showing up in our minds and showing up in how we treat ourselves, we also see evidence of people unlearning it.

You can unlearn self-criticism at literally any stage in your life.

I literally read this amazing op-ed piece a couple of weeks ago from this woman who was like 82, I think.

And she was talking about how only at 80 years old did she know what it felt like to like herself.

Like that was the first time she ever was like, I think I might like myself.

And she's never looked back.

80.