How To Silence Your Inner Critic

Have you ever wanted to go for something, try something new, put yourself out there, take a risk, create or become a part of something and you find you're talking yourself out of it?  Ever heard a voice inside your head, tell you that you’re not good enough? 

Maybe you’ve felt you’re not pretty enough, or maybe not smart enough, fast enough, patient enough, skinny enough, strong enough, rich enough, happy enough, not a good parent, etc.

Or maybe you’ve felt unworthy. Maybe you’ve felt like an impostor.  Who do you think you are? 

That voice inside is our inner critic. 

The negative, fear-based critic that stops us from reaching our full potential and going for what we want.  I've been there too.  We all have one.  

But the key is to silence it, before it starts to take over, because the things it tells us, are lies, fears, judgments, and they’re not true.  

Maybe you’ve felt judged by others. 

You’re worried what others will think or say about you.  Maybe you’re afraid to put yourself out there, because of the critic within you, or the critics around you.  Maybe it’s real people, family, friends, neighbors or followers on social media, that are saying critical, judgmental things to your face or behind your back. 

We all have that friend or family member that seems to jump at the chance to give you that "constructive criticism," that burst your bubble.  Oddly enough, they have no experience in that area and don't take any risks themselves.  Sound familiar? 

Sometimes it’s a comment someone said to you when you were little.  Maybe a teacher or close family member or friend criticized you and made you feel inadequate. Or, maybe someone you love said a hurtful comment, that made you think differently about yourself. 

Maybe you're being too hard on yourself and saying things to yourself that you would never say to someone else.  

Over time, we hang onto these critical things, and if we’re not careful, we can start to believe them. 

The thing is that you get to choose how you want to move forward, starting today.  It’s time to silence that inner critic. 

The thoughts we tell ourselves matter. I'm all for striving to be better, and reaching for excellence and improving, but in a healthier way.  

Replace the inner critic with positivity and affirmation, and watch how everything around you starts to change. 

Here's 3 simple ways you can show that critic who really the boss.  

Write About It.  

Journaling can be powerful.  Write about your experience and put things down on paper.  What are you telling yourself?  What are all the excuses or critiques and how can you see it from a different perspective?  Ask yourself, is it true?  What can I do about it? Where do I go from here? 

 Meditate. 

Sometimes are head starts spinning.  We get carried away with inner dialogue, like a chatty monkey yapping away, into nonsense.  We elaborate or start to tell ourselves critical stories, that are just not true or useful.  Don't let your thoughts get highjacked.  

Still your mind.  Mediate.  Center yourself and be gentle with yourself.  Remember that we're often our own worst critic. 

Let's Face It, Literally. 

Stand in front of the mirror, and look yourself in the face.  If you've done this before, you know it's hard to keep a straight face for long.  Tell the inner critic, no thanks, and create a more positive, loving and affirmative belief instead. 

Example… 

I’m __ not good enough__. Switch it to...I AM ENOUGH, Just the way I am. 

 I'm ___not smart enough___. Switch it to...I AM SMART.  I love who I am and what I’m becoming. 

I’m not ___ pretty__. Switch it to...I am beautiful and I love who I am, just as I am. 

You fill in the blank to whatever your inner (or outer) critic is telling you.  

Care for your mind.  Care for your heart. Care for the thoughts that are coming your way. 

You’re an incredible, beautiful, powerful, influential, human being and the power of positivity and self love is so much more powerful than any critic. 

Do this, and see what comes up for you.  

I'd love to hear from you.  What's something that you feel you're critical about, and would like to change?