Shift 005 – Best Friends

Today, I want to talk about bullying.

I want you to think about what you would do if you saw someone you love being bullied. I’m willing to bet you’d step in right away. You’d put yourself between them and the bully, tell the bully to stop, remind your loved one that none of what was said is true, and pull them out of that environment. And you’d do this because you care deeply about them.

But what about yourself?

When the Bully Lives in Your Mind

What would you do when you’re the one doing the bullying?
I’m not talking about other people—I mean those moments when your own thoughts turn cruel:

“I’m not good enough.”

“I’m not smart enough.”

“I’m not experienced enough.”

This is self-bullying. And most of the time, we just sit and take it. We believe the thoughts because they come from our own mind. But I’m here to tell you: that voice isn’t the truth of who you are.

That’s the shift—learning to step in and stop your brain the same way you’d protect your best friend.

How I Made That Shift

I wish I could take credit for this approach, but I can’t. I first heard it from a creator online who shared that she named her brain, literally gave it a name, so she could talk back to it.

At first, I thought it sounded ridiculous. But as I listened, something clicked. The moment I opened myself up to the idea, a name dropped in: Erica.

And just to be clear, I don’t know anyone named Erica. I wasn’t watching a movie or reading a book with that name, it just arrived. So I went with it.

Every time a negative thought came up, I’d say:

“Erica, not today.”

“That’s not what I believe.”

“That’s not my truth.”

Then I’d offer myself forgiveness for even thinking it, and move on with my day.

Those two steps changed everything:

Acknowledge the thought and correct it.
Offer forgiveness before you shift your focus.

Because if we skip straight to distraction, we subconsciously accept the thought as truth.

The Visualization Shift

Here’s what I want you to try this week:

The next time a negative thought appears, visualize your best friend being bullied on the playground. See yourself running toward them, stepping between them and the bully, saying:

“No. You don’t get to talk to her that way.”

Then, turn to your best friend (yourself) and say:

“What they said isn’t true. Let’s forgive them so we can move on.”

It might feel simple, but this is powerful inner work. Every time you do this, you’re teaching your mind how to treat you with the same love and loyalty you show everyone else.

The Shift

You wouldn’t let someone speak to your best friend that way—so don’t let your own mind do it to you.
Stand up for yourself. Correct the lie. Offer forgiveness. And move on in peace.

Try this, and see what shifts for you.