Your Inner Critic Isn’t the Enemy

The Inner Critic is our negative internal voice that judges and criticises, often making us feel demeaned, less confident and bringing down our mood. Everyone has an Inner Critic, so it's worth spending some time getting to know yours and why it exists.

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The Inner Critic is a part of the mind that is trying (clumsily) to keep us safe. This typically comes out as an internal voice picking out faults, mistakes or inadequacies and often speaks harshly, producing feelings of shame, self-doubt, low self-esteem, and sometimes depression. The problem is that the Inner Critic focuses on what is "wrong" rather than constructive guidance. It is working so hard to protect us from failure, rejection or harm that it is actually doing the opposite.

Psychologists Jay Earley and Bonnie Weiss. have identified several types of Inner Critics, each with its own style of criticism. The narrative of your Inner Critic tells you which type is talking. The good news is that, with a bit of practice, you have the power to change that narrative.

Spend some time with your Inner Critic, the internal broadcaster of limiting beliefs, then turn a full 180 degrees and say hello to your Inner Champion and discover your empowering beliefs.