Many women place high demands on themselves. These expectations may involve work, relationships, family life, exercise, health or thoughts about pregnancy and fertility. When something does not go as planned, it is easy to think that you should have done more, coped better or tried harder.

Constantly criticising yourself can create unnecessary stress. It may also make it harder to notice your body’s signals and recognise when you need to rest, ask for support or lower your expectations.

Try to notice how you speak to yourself. Would you say the same things to a friend who was tired, worried or having a difficult day? We are often much harder on ourselves than we are on other people.

Reducing self-criticism does not mean avoiding responsibility. It means having realistic expectations and accepting that no one can perform at their best every day. Energy, mood and capacity may vary depending on sleep, stress, the menstrual cycle, life circumstances and other factors.

During periods of worry about fertility, it can be especially important not to blame yourself or your body. Fertility is affected by many different factors, and not everything can be controlled through lifestyle or personal choices.

Small changes can make a difference. You might take a break, remove something unnecessary from your schedule, speak to someone you trust or accept that what you are able to do today is enough.

Being less critical of yourself is an important part of sustainable well-being. It creates more room for recovery and can make it easier to care for both your body and your emotional health.

Things to Remember

• Notice how you speak to yourself.

• Keep your expectations realistic.

• Accept that your energy may vary from day to day.

• Do not blame yourself when something does not go as planned.

• Give yourself enough time for rest and recovery.

Alma’s Tip 💜

When you notice that you are criticising yourself, pause and think: “I am doing the best I can with the situation I am in today.”