Welcome,
Unique learners!
Have you ever felt anxious to start your day?
Trouble starting to write that paper?
Study for that exam or just focus at the workplace?
In part 2 we have done two exercises to silence our inner critic,
Asking if it's true and saying positive statements as counter actions.
The next exercise can be combined with these exercises.
So let's get settled and try out some exercises to quiet our inner critic.
Close your eyes if you haven't done so already.
Breathe in through your nose and hold it on the top and breathe out through the mouth with a sigh.
Once more,
Breathe in through your nose,
Hold it and breathe out longer than your in-breath with a sigh.
And how does that feel?
Try to focus on your thoughts,
Inner critic,
Where are you?
What are your negative thoughts?
Listen,
But don't take his or her word to heart.
See the inner critic so that he or she doesn't hang out in a distant corner manipulating you from above.
Identify the inner critic with presence rather than pushing her or him away,
Because what we resist will persist.
Try to focus on your body and what it feels like.
Now turn to your inner critic,
Pick one thought.
When your inner critic acts out,
Say,
So what,
So what if you think that,
That doesn't mean it's true.
Who cares,
You think your judgement means something to me?
They don't.
Breathe in and breathe out.
Big deal,
Oh seriously big deal,
Really big f-ing deal.
Breathe in and breathe out.
Go back to your negative thoughts and say,
Why not?
Why shouldn't I do this?
You're telling me I can't?
I won't?
I'm not worthy of it?
Why not?
I'm going to continue doing this anyway,
Because I can.
No matter what you say,
I'm just going to keep diving in.
Breathe in and breathe out.
And what does it matter if my inner critic doesn't think I'm good enough?
Is it because it's weird and people might find me strange?
Feel how these questions empower you.
And whatever you are doing,
Keep doing it anyway.
Keep meeting the dream,
The project,
Your creative expression,
Finish that paper or just live.
Keep going,
Forging ahead,
Building one block at a time,
Because the inner judge rarely goes away.
As long as we have minds,
He or she will continue to find a way to torture us.
But we can identify our inner critic and take away the power and regain our own.
We can say I see you,
Judge.
And my take home message is to name and visualize your inner critic.
Is it a villain from a TV show?
For example,
Is it the Joker?
Ursula?
Captain Hook?
By doing this you can make your inner critic smaller and you can actually start to say I don't need you today,
Go away.
If this doesn't feel right or you have the thought that it's not working,
That is okay too.
With some practice it will become easier.
So unique learners,
I hope this talk about the inner critic with some exercise was useful and will help you along the way in your path to working more efficiently and get that peace of mind.
Every individual needs their own approach,
Therefore I would like to invite you to think about what works for you and what doesn't.
I always fail you feedback on these talks and would love to read what has worked for you.
Till next time!
And remember,
You are worthy of love,
Including self-love.
Namaste.
