5 Ways to Overcome Your Inner Critic
Let’s be honest – we all have parts of ourselves that we don’t like. We may feel like we are broken or damaged and need to be “fixed.” This can take a toll on our mental health.
It’s normal to feel self-critical at times. When these thoughts become overwhelming, however, it can be difficult to move forward.
I’m Caroline King, a therapist at Silver River Counseling, and in this article, we’ll explore 5 ways to overcome your inner critic so you can get unstuck and start living a happier life! Let’s jump in.
Knowing about emotions is a life game-changer, and we believe it should be accessible to everyone. Enroll today!
Identify Your Inner Critic
The first way to overcome the inner critic is to identify it. You’ve got to name it to tame it.
This voice inside your head that tells you that you’re not good enough or that you need to be perfect is your inner critic. Once you recognize it, you can start to challenge it.
Ask Yourself What You Need
The second way to overcome your inner critic is to ask yourself what you need. When you hear your inner critic telling you that you’re not good enough, take a step back and ask yourself, “what need am I trying to meet?”
Oftentimes, our inner critic stems from unmet needs such as the need for love, acceptance, or validation. Once you identify what you need, you can work towards meeting that need in a more productive way.
Challenge Your Negative Thoughts & Beliefs
The third way to overcome the inner critic is to challenge your negative thoughts and beliefs. Just because you think something doesn’t make it true.
Ask yourself if there’s evidence to support your thoughts or if you’re just assuming the worst. Try to also call your attention to the evidence that might be contrary to your thought.
Practice Self-Compassion
The fourth way to overcome the inner critic is to practice self-compassion instead of being harsh and critical towards yourself.
An example of practicing self-compassion could be taking a moment to acknowledge and validate your own emotions. Rather than being critical of yourself for feeling a certain way, you can offer yourself kindness and understanding by recognizing that it’s okay to feel the way you do.
Be gentle, kind, and understanding towards yourself.
Take Action
Finally, the fifth way to overcome your inner critic is to take action. This might involve seeking help from a therapist or counselor, practicing self-care, or engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Remember, you are not broken.
We all have parts of ourselves that we don’t like, but it’s important to approach these parts of us with curiosity and compassion. By challenging our negative thoughts and practicing self-compassion, we can overcome the inner critic and move forward towards a happier, healthier life.
If you’re struggling with your inner critic, and want extra support to be a happier, healthier you, reach out and schedule an appointment with us at Silver River Counseling today.