Don't let your inner critic be the boss.
Notice how often you experience negative thoughts and the tone/voice you hear those thoughts in. Does it sound like your own voice? Like the voice of a family member?
It's important to recognize and challenge your negative thoughts. These may come in the form of unhelpful thinking habits such as self-criticism (putting yourself down) and social comparison (comparing yourself negatively to others).
Think about the role that your inner critic is playing in your negative thoughts.
- Is your inner critic misguidedly trying to motivate, guide, protect, or care for you, when in reality they are criticizing, demeaning, and belittling you?
- What if you assigned your inner critic a new role?
They could become your teacher, guide, caretaker, coach, or cheerleader, etc.
Then, as their Director, you can correct them each time they are not fulfilling their role obligations.
Call to action:
- Give your inner critic a new role (e.g. cheerleader, caretaker).
- Define their job requirements.
- Correct the inner critic when they stray from their role.
- Reframe their criticism into productive, positive or neutral thoughts.