HOW TO QUIET YOUR INNER CRITIC

We all know that our thoughts control how we feel about ourselves. And we all know that positive thoughts make us feel good, and negative make us feel, well, shit.

Our inner critic just loves to pop up numerous times a day, no matter what mood we’re in. It’s a human trait that’s not going anywhere. Would it surprise you to know it is actually trying to help you? Yup, that voice that’s telling you you aren’t good enough is keeping you from staying right where you are, no risk taking here! Even the smallest skip out of our comfort zone will have your brain all in a tizzy. Why upset the status quo that is where you are, right now? You’re perfectly fine, warm and safe, so why do something new? No, no, no. ‘You’re not good enough so don’t bother trying’ whispers that little voice in your ear.

So you stay where you are. Perfect says the brain! You’re safe and protected, job done!

How do we let our inner critic know that it can shut the hell up now, please and thank you?

GIVE HER A NAME

That’s right, name that inner critic, that voice in your head that is busy telling you you don’t deserve success? Name her. Any name will do! And once you do, talk back. Just make sure you do it in a loving and compassionate way - no beating yourself up for thinking the thought in the first place. Like so:

‘Thanks for that Jolene, but I’m good. I don’t need protecting right now, this is actually a good thing for me’

‘There goes that Jolene again! Trying to keep me safe. Isn’t that nice?’

REMEMBER FEAR

Wait, isn’t that what we’re trying to get rid of here? Um, yes. But we are going to use fear in a different way…

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

F E A R - just because you believe something to be true, doesn’t mean it is. You’re not good enough? You don’t deserve it? Everything always goes wrong for you? Fake news! Do some investigating and find evidence to the contrary. It’s there, trust me. Then write your evidence down. You inner critic is easily able to find evidence to support those negative thoughts, just do a little digging to find the evidence against.

PUT YOUR THOUGHTS oN TRAIL

Just like FEAR, putting your thoughts on trial is exactly that. Write down the thought, then the evidence for it and against it. The difference here is that you are going to be the judge and the jury! You’ll come out with a more rounded idea of what that negative thought actually means, and if it’s really true or not. What’s the final verdict?

Some quick and simple ways you can start to overcome your inner critic, let me know if you try any and how they go!