Katie Piper has admitted that even she struggles with feelings of failure on difficult days, despite her public persona as a resilient survivor. The author and presenter, who was the victim of an acid attack in 2008, opened up about her mindset during an appearance on The Joe Wicks Podcast.
Piper, who has written 11 books, discussed her latest work, A Little Bit of Hope, which focuses on affirmations. She acknowledged that some people are cynical about the practice but argued that everyone uses affirmations, whether positive or negative. 'Some people use negative affirmations – 'Today is going to be really bad', 'I'm fat', 'I'm stupid',' she said. 'A positive affirmation is affirming who you are and what you want back from the world.' She encouraged listeners to be less reserved about it, noting that it might sound 'not very British' but can set you up for success.
Reflecting on her own recovery, Piper said her relationship with her body changed completely after the attack. Before, she went to the gym primarily to stay slim. After waking from a coma with muscle deterioration, she had to learn to walk again and made a promise never to take her body for granted. She also spoke about the importance of scheduling downtime, as she can be 'quite hectic and highly strung'.
Piper advised that people write themselves a kind email when feeling low, as they would to a friend. 'We're often our own harshest critics,' she said. 'Read it out loud and speak those words of kindness to yourself.' She also discussed her belief in supplements, even if the effect is placebo, as they help her start the day positively.
