The Inner Critic. Opinionated and often unrelenting it always seems to have something to say about what you should be doing, how you could have done it better and why you’ll probably do it wrong next time. The thing is, it doesn’t think it’s being critical, it thinks it’s helping. According to psychologist Dr. Heather Stevenson, the inner critic develops in response to feeling hurt or scared, its job is to keep us safe from the unknown.

Which certainly doesn’t help your self-confidence when pursuing new opportunities. Although we can’t completely silence our inner critic – it’s wired into our survival system – we can set boundaries with it. When you hear it disparage you, put up an emotional hand and tell it “I’m OK, you can sit this one out” or “That’s enough now, take a seat.”

Rather than fighting the losing battle of trying to stop it, when it starts reclaim your authority and gently put it in its place like a cranky toddler you can send to a chair in the corner for a time-out. The more you do it, the more you’ll be able to respond quickly when you recognize its voice and tell yourself that these thoughts are not facts and you are not your thoughts. Cultivate a kinder, more balanced internal world by setting boundaries with yourself – for when your biggest critic is you.

 

If you, someone you love or someone in your network needs support on the journey of addiction recovery and emotional well-being, The Recovery Coach NY is here to help. Our program, developed by Founder & President Cindy Feinberg, is based on the philosophical theory of holism: The system as a whole determines how the parts behave. Working together, we develop a plan to provide the safety, structure and accountability that promotes long-term wellness.

Learn about the benefits of working with a member of our Recovery Coach and Mental Health Coach teams by having a confidential conversation with Cindy via phone at 631-921-4085 or reach her directly via email here.

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