Silencing Your Inner Critic

The words we tell ourselves are powerful.  They shape how we show up in the world and what we believe we are capable of.  After thousands of conversations I’ve had over the years, along with my own lived experience, I have come to realize we all have an internal world unseen by the people around us.  One recurring theme that emerges is the undeniable power of the words we tell ourselves, and the profound impact it has on our mental well-being.

Our inner dialogue, that constant stream of thoughts buzzing in our minds, plays a crucial role in shaping our emotions and behaviors. It’s like having a personal narrator, commenting on our every move. However, this internal voice is not always our ally. In fact, it can be our harshest critic–casting doubt, and planting seeds of negativity.  This inner critic can, at times, keep us from being ourselves, trying new things, or moving through stuck places. 

I get it–life can be tough, and the world often bombards us with expectations, comparisons, and judgments. But here’s the thing: paying attention to what we tell ourselves is a powerful step toward nurturing our mental health.

Imagine this: you’re facing a challenge, perhaps a new project at work or a personal goal you’ve set for yourself. And then your inner critic comes along, magnifying self-doubt and breeding anxiety. It’s that little voice saying, “You’re not good enough,” or “You’ll never succeed.” Sound familiar? But guess what? You are good enough, and success is a journey, not a destination.

One strategy to combat the inner critic is to become an active listener to your own thoughts. When negative self-talk starts to surface, take a moment to pause and ask yourself, “Would I say this to a friend?” Chances are, the answer is no. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would offer a friend or loved one.

Another strategy is to challenge the validity of your inner critic’s statements. Often, these negative thoughts are distorted and exaggerated. Try to be a detective of your thoughts.  Take some time to look for the evidence for or against a thought to help you determine how true what you are thinking really is.  And if you become stuck, ask someone else what they think. Sometimes saying our negative thoughts out loud to someone else can help them lose their power. Although it may be hard, work on replacing negative thoughts with what I like to call “positive truths,” reminding yourself of your strengths, uniqueness, and past successes.

It’s often challenging for us to give ourselves the same grace and space we give to others. But, I would like to remind you that you are also allowed to be human.  Practice self-compassion. Making mistakes means you are a real person. Beating yourself up over every misstep or mistake only helps continue the cycle of negativity. Instead, embrace the opportunity to learn and grow.

Remember, you have the ability to shape your internal narrative. Be intentional about fostering a positive and encouraging dialogue with yourself. My hope for you is to recognize the strength within, silence the inner critic, and embrace a mindset of self-love and resilience.

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Adult counseling isn’t the only service provided at our Alexandria, LA, Pineville, LA, and Natchitoches, LA locations. We also offer online therapy, trauma therapy, and anxiety treatment. In addition, we also offer couples counseling and teen counseling. Feel free to visit our consulting services, FAQ, or blog pages for more helpful info!