Turning off your inner critic

Everyone has an inner critic - a voice in our heads that frequently expresses negative thoughts and feelings. This consistent stream of disapproval, frustration, and criticism can harm our mental health and well-being.

Why is it that we are our own worse critics?

The expectations are high.

The defeat is threatening.

It's common to feel disheartened with ourselves at some point.

Where do these underlying expectations come from?

We face constant pressure to meet high expectations, which leaves no room for mistakes. Social media presents an idealized version of reality, leading us to have unrealistically high expectations without even realizing it. Comparing ourselves to others only detracts from our happiness.

It's common to compare ourselves to our neighbors, always striving to improve and do more.

However, this constant comparison can create pressure and feelings of inadequacy. Positive self-talk is the first key to accepting and loving yourself for who you are. The recognition that you are doing your best is fundamental.  But how do we practice this? Self-affirmation and constantly shifting our mindset to avoid negative self-talk is the key to building character and self-esteem. Practicing self-love and overturning feelings of worthlessness and defeat.

Constantly reminding ourselves that there is no race or competition. Thrive to be better than yourself and not those around you. Self-compassion is fundamental for battling negative self-talk and our inner critic.  Being able to accept our emotions as they are and be compassionate with yourself and what you are feeling. Accepting defeat and the idea that when we fall, we must get back up and try harder, building Perseverance and resilience.

It's crucial to control our thoughts, reframe them, and concentrate on positive results rather than negative ones.

By practicing self-assurance and compassion you will be able to identify the critic that lies within and take charge of the emotions that can overwhelm you.

Expressing negative feelings or thoughts either verbally or in writing can provide clarity and help evaluate them objectively. Keeping them inside can be overwhelming and lead to burnout and feelings of depression.  Therefore, if you feel overwhelmed, it is part of self-care to express your negative feelings, say it aloud or write it down.

If you want to overcome your inner critic, it's important to practice self-compassion, self-assurance, and positive self-talk. These tools can help you be more assertive and challenge those negative thoughts, ultimately freeing yourself from the grip of your inner critic.