Living with yourself is the topic I've decided to cover today. We often have a dialogue with ourselves that looks like a back and forth conversation. I often talk about the inner bully, and how some of that chatter that's going on is not very positive or encouraging. Sometimes we say mean and nasty things to ourselves that we would never say to another person. So we really have to be careful of how we converse with ourselves in our own minds.

As soon as you become aware of how you're living with yourself and what your inner chatter is saying to you, then you can do something about it. You have to identify it first, and clearly listen to the words you are saying. Living With Yourself is a TV show on Netflix featuring actor, Paul Rudd. At first, I didn't think of this show in the context of mindfulness and the inner bully, but the more I thought about it I realized it was related. The main character in this show has two sides. One side is upbeat and positive and things in his life are going well. He succeeds at his job and he's seen as a winner, even by himself.  He also has an opposite side that is not doing so well. He's struggling and having challenges on a regular basis.

Are you like me? Are there some days when things just seem to fall into place, and you feel terrific about life? On those ‘sunny days', you have an amazingly positive outlook and you just feel terrific. Then there are other days where the opposite is true. The TV show, Living With Yourself, lays this out for you. We all are living with ourselves and it's up to us to figure out how to live in such a way that that we feel good about it and enjoy our journey.

Mindfulness can help us have more of the great days. We learn to be aware of our thoughts and to live in the moment. Of course, we think about the future, we make plans but it's also important to live in the moment and be happy now. We can chose to be happy with our lives at the present moment. This TV show reminded me of specific ways we can live life with a winning mindset.

The pandemic can leave me feeling like I'm in a rut sometimes. Maybe some days I might not get dressed up as much as usual or maybe not shave and do what I can to look my best. My suggestion is to do what you can to feel better, and if that means not wearing sweatpants as much and fixing up your hair or dressing up in some nicer clothes, then make the effort to do that. Your family will likely notice and you will feel more like a winner.  Maybe you are working but in spite of that, keep habits in place that make you feel good.

I suggest you get up at a planned time, and stick to routines that really work for you. Your routines can help you to feel like things are going well and and you're getting tasks accomplished. If you get up in the morning and take action, working on your list of jobs that correspond to your goals, then you'll feel like you are moving forward and I you will feel better as a result.

Make sure that exercise is built into your schedule, one way or another. We are fed by our endorphins; those endorphins that are created when we move and when we get exercise, whether that's going for a brisk walk, a swim, a run, or another activity. Whatever it takes for you to move your body will definitely result in helping you feel better and be more healthy. Once you become more active, take note of how good you feel.

Set aside some time to read or to listen to podcasts or to meditate. I meditate every day and this practice has improved my life as it has for many of my guests and listeners too. Make sure that you are delivering for you, as well as for other people in your life. Sometimes we spend a lot of time serving others, working at our job, and taking care of our families. Also make an effort to set aside time for you.

Listen to your body, because your body will let you know if something is out of whack. The more you can listen to your body and notice what's happening with it, the better your life will become. Notice the messages that you are receiving, no matter how busy you are. If your life is on super-speed and you're going all the time, busy and constantly on the go, you might not notice what your body is telling you. Are you living a frantic life? That's an important question to consider.Meditation is one tool that can help you become more aware of your needs.

If you feel like checking out the TV show, Living With Yourself, you might find it interesting and entertaining. For me,  the concept is very interesting, and I found the show quite fascinating.

What does mindfulness add to your life? I'd be interested to hear from you. Send me an email at, [email protected] and let me know your thoughts. Also, if you have a topic you'd like me to cover on my Sunday episodes, I'd love to hear that too. Thanks so much for joining me.

• Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

• Exercise Your Emotions Like Muscles