How To Deal With The Inner Critic

The Inner Critic is that voice that, when it works for us, it helps us make choices that contribute to our well-being. However it can be very harmful when it engages in excessive negative self-talk. Definitely unhealthy and debilitating.

The inner critic is similar to Freud's Superego and Jung's negative animus. Those too can beat us up with feelings of guilt, worthlessness and inadequacy, if we let them...

There are some effective ways of dealing with the "inflamed" inner critic. But for now I'm going to tell you about my favorite. 

1) Become aware of why you are feeling guilty, sad, or inadequate. 

2) Try to identify the voice of the inner critic. Meditation work is great to become a master at this.

3) Think of yourself as your best friend. Would you be so hard on on a friend? I'm sure the answer is no. We would never say that to them. We wouldn't even think in that way. We are often compassionate and loving with them. So? Then replace the negative self-talk with gentler affirmations, the nicer the better.

A warning. This isn't easy to do. But with practice, and awareness you'll get there. 

In this video I talk a little bit about the Id the Ego and the Superego and a little bit about the inner critic.