Negative self-talk can feel like an ever-present roommate who insists on giving you unsolicited opinions about every aspect of yourself—including your worth, appearance, personality, and life choices. Have you ever wondered where this annoying inner critic comes from? And more importantly, can you make it go away? Unfortunately, no matter what you do, negative thoughts will happen. It’s simply how our brains are wired. But you can change the way you respond to these thoughts.

This take-anywhere, use-anytime guide offers quick, simple, and evidence-based skills drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you make peace with your inner frenemy. You’ll discover what drives these negative thoughts, why it’s important to listen to them—yes, you read that right, listen—and how to put them in perspective so you can go back to the things that really matter in your life.