Inner critic

“One of the most powerful ways of quieting and countering your inner critic is to talk back to him or her. Literally. Just as you would not allow a bully or tyrant to relentlessly criticize you or put you down, you cannot allow your inner critic to continue to wear away at your self-esteem.” Beverly Engel

This week’s discussion is around the inner critic that most of us have.  At times when life is more difficult, and/or my self-care is low, this inner critic tends to amp it up and says the most horrible things.

Oddly enough, lately– my inner critic is quieter, and I am unsure why. Usually when at my weekly mosaic class, she really ramps it up and compares my work to that of others, telling me that my work is disgusting, not as good as the other participants and so on.  I have had to mix up my usual class over the past three weeks due to things happening within my household.  I have had the best run with my latest project, the work is going on quicker, and I am very happy with the result.  The inner critic must be a little happier also, as she has been very quiet over the time I have been working on this bust.  I wish she also felt this way about other aspects of my life.

I have been speaking with many people about the importance of a good self-care plan and whilst it does not stop events from happening or quieten our inner critic – it does allow us to bounce back quicker and/or challenge the inner voice. 

So, this leads me to think, that my self-care must be at a good place at the moment.  It most likely needs a little adjustment in some areas (like exercise), however, it is fairly full and even across the domains.  I have been surprised that the project is going smoothly and am happy with how it is turning out – so perhaps this has lessened the volume of my inner critic?  Perhaps, she knows that I can’t be swayed at this time, and she is waiting for another opportunity to bully me?  Regardless of why, I am enjoying the quietness and the opportunity of working with this piece without her.

Have you noticed that your inner critic is more active at times than others?  I would be curious as to why this is happening (or not)?  Is it because they (the inner critic) know that you are doing a great job, and they have no room to bully you? It would be a very interesting experiment to find out why or why not?

The timing of my inner critic taking a break is most inconvenient – mosaics is also on school holidays!  I am hoping she is taking long service leave and lets me be for a while!