That is a marvellous idea, talking to myself only in ways that I would talk, for example, to my kids. I'd never tell them that they're stupid and useless, and I shouldn't tell myself that either.

I like your idea of posting notes for yourself. I have lots of favourite and uplifting quotations that I could post around my room and bathroom and other places in the house.

BTW, I love hermit crabs. My nephew used to have some, and they were fascinating creatures.