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Everyone has an inner critic—that voice in our head that tells us we’re not good enough, that we don’t measure up or are somehow deficient. But what if there was a way to combat the self-doubts and negativity of the inner critic?
In this blog post, you will learn five ways to talk back to your inner critic, take control of your mental health, and own your worth!
- Acknowledge the criticism
We all have an inner critic, that little voice inside our heads that tells us we’re not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, and on and on. The key to dealing with this inner critic is to acknowledge its existence.
Once you recognize when your inner critic is speaking up, you’ll be able to start taking control of it. By acknowledging the criticism, you’ll be able to challenge it and question its validity.
This is an important step in not letting your inner critic have a negative impact on your life. So go ahead, acknowledge the voice in your head, and start taking back control.
- Challenge the critic’s perspective
It’s easy to accept the view of our inner critic without a second thought, but oftentimes, the inner critic’s point of view is based in trauma, neglect, or insecurity. So instead of simply accepting what the inner critic says, try questioning its claims or looking at them from a different point of view. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?”
Here’s a funny example: let’s say you’ve run out of your dense, dank, top-shelf weed, but there’s still some loose scraggly bits left at the bottom of the container (shake). You may have some good ideas about what you can do with it, but your inner critic may disagree and challenge your perceived capabilities or thought processes.
Are you going to listen to your inner critic and forgo a potentially enjoyable experience, or will you explore what you can do with cannabis shake?
By challenging the inner critic’s perspective, you may find that its criticisms hold less weight, and may even begin to lose their power over you. Don’t let your inner critic hold you back – take control of your thoughts and challenge them head-on.
- Remind yourself of past successes
Reminding yourself of past successes is a powerful tool in stopping negative self-talk from taking over. It’s important to remember that success comes in all shapes and sizes – even the small victories count!
Whether it’s ace-ing a difficult exam or simply making it through a tough day, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come and all the amazing things you’ve accomplished.
Even if it’s the simple fact that you are still here on this earth with your heart still beating —there’s power to be harnessed, which you can use to propel you to heights you never imagined possible. Using this technique can help boost your confidence and empower you to talk back to your inner critic.
- Speak kindly to yourself
When we talk to ourselves, it’s important to be kind. We wouldn’t want our best friend talking to us the same way that we sometimes talk to ourselves—with harsh words and criticism. So why should we treat ourselves any differently? Speak kindly to yourself and remind yourself of your worth—it will have a profound effect on your mental health.
- Recognize and address unhelpful thinking patterns
We all have certain thought patterns that can be unhelpful in our everyday lives. It’s important to recognize these patterns, as they can lead to negative self-talk and feelings of inadequacy.
Once you’ve identified these patterns, it’s time to address them—this is how you start talking back to your inner critic! Try replacing an unhelpful thought with a more positive or empowering one. It may take practice, but over time you can learn to recognize and combat these unhelpful patterns.
Conclusion
By recognizing the presence of your inner critic and then taking steps to challenge its perspective, remind yourself of past successes, speak kindly to yourself, and recognize/address unhelpful thinking patterns, you can take control of your mental health and start to build a more positive self-image. Taking the time to challenge our inner critic is a life-changing step in helping us become the best version of ourselves. The power lies within you – take it back!
