Understanding Your Inner Critic

Understanding Your Inner Critic
We all have an inner critic. It is that voice inside our head that berates us and beats us down when we make a mistake or fail in some way (e.g., “You are a failure,” “You can’t do anything right,” “You are a loser”). This inner critic is thought to be there to help us, though more often than not, these words do more harm than good, leading us to self-doubt and, in some cases, self-hatred.Show more

This exercise will help you understand your own inner critic.
Identifying Your Inner-Critic
Which parts of yourself or your life are you most critical of?
When you are critical of yourself, how does that criticism manifest? Do you use insults? Do you try to understand your limitations?(instruct to watch again and take notes)
What does it feel like to be self-critical? (journal)
What type of language do you use when you are self-critical? Write some examples.
Imagining Your Inner Critic
Imagine another person who would speak to you using the same words and tone you use towards yourself when you are self-critical.

How would you react? Would you allow this?

If you would not allow this, how come you allow your inner critic to treat you like this?
Replacing Your Inner-Critic
As a result of your criticism, do you feel motivated to strive for self-improvement, or do you feel defeated?
What would a good friend, who loves you unconditionally, say to you when you identify something about yourself that you consider a flaw when you fail or make a mistake?
What could you do to replace the inner critic's voice with a voice similar to your friend’s (see the previous question)?