I forgot to mention disputing the nasty accusations of the inner critic. If you have RA, then you are not lazy. You can be kind to yourself and tell that inner critic you can rest, maybe in the imaginary voice of the drill Sargent who would cut you some slack.

For me, I occasionally tell myself I am lazy and it doesn’t even both me. I laugh it off. I feel blessed to have the luxury of being able to be lazy if I want to. Productivity? Goals? Pshawwww!

For you, though, you feel a drive to ‘be all you can be’...an Army slogan that stuck?

My therapist told me to be kind to myself so I will be more kind to others. He guilted my inner voice to quiet! It’s a nice thought though and may work to help you treat yourself with more kindness.