Stomp On Your Inner Critic

When I read  Tame Your Inner Critic by Della Temple, I really got a lot of value from it. There’s an exercise called Stomp On Your Inner Critic that is a fun way to calm the inner chatter. I will be sharing this a little later in the post.

But what is the inner critic?

Inner critic refers to an inner voice that judges, criticizes, or demeans a person whether or not the self-criticism is objectively justified. A highly active inner critic can take a toll on one’s emotional well being and self-esteem.

Good Therapy

In short, it is that voice in our head that tells us that we’re just not good enough! It causes to constantly criticise and compare ourselves. Often it stops us from even starting on a creative project, telling us in advance there’s no use even trying to begin!

On The Frangipani Creative Podcast today, I’m sharing a couple of exercises you can do to shut that inner critic up! Do listen in:

Turn down the volume of your negative inner voice and create a nurturing inner voice to take it’s place. When you make a mistake, forgive yourself, learn from it, and move on instead of obsessing about it. Equally important, don’t allow anyone else to dwell on your mistakes or shortcomings or to expect perfection from you.”

― Beverly Engel, The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused — And Start Standing Up for Yourself

Stomp On Your Inner Critic

Here’s the exercise I mentioned at the start of the post. Give it a try.

Before you begin the exercise, think of a phrase that your critic uses to describe you. Maybe you hear the inner critic whispering, “You’re not good enough – hide, before they find out!”, or “Totally unprepared, as usual today!”, or “I can’t believe you actually said that -how dumb are you!” Now follow along as we have some fun smashing that energy to smithereens!

1. Close your eyes and say your phrase out loud. Imagine a ball of energy forming in front of your closed eyes representing this phrase. Spend a moment just looking at that ball of energy. As you visualize the words of your phrase, see them forming a colorful mass of waves of oscillating energy.

2. Next, imagine moving that ball of energy down to the floor by your right foot. Watch it move to the floor. With your eyes still closed, imagine looking down at your right foot and seeing this big ball of energy representing the phrase of your inner critic. Check out the colors of the energy. See it as a big glob of goo on the floor. Acknowledge that this phrase is no longer true for you. It is not your own truth. You don’t need to hold this foreign energy in your body any longer.

3. When you decide that you’re ready to let this energy go … step on it. Stomp on it. Smash it to smithereens! Or, if that is a little too violent for you, just tell it to go away. Watch as that big ball of unworthiness energy disappears. Have fun with this. Make it a game. Release those negative thoughts from your internal dialogue.

I’d love to hear how this worked for you.

Book Description of Tame Your Inner Critic

Here’s the book description, if you’re interested in checking the book out.

If you recognize the desire to step away from the negative self-talk, to learn to nurture and care for your Spirit, then come with me on this journey of discovery – dismantling that destructive inner critic, and uncovering a kind, compassionate and open-hearted view of yourself.

Filled with over 40 meditations and exercises, this book will help you tune into your Spirit as you tune out your inner critic.

You will refine ways to set your attitude, consciously choose your thoughts and feelings, and stay grounded alongside other people’s energies.

You will discover your true north—your true joy – and a way to live your life full of inner peace and gentleness.

Photo by TOMOKO UJI on Unsplash