The inner voice seems to take over our brain getting us to believe some pretty negative thoughts about ourselves. In the past my voice has assured me that I’m not lovable. I’m not pretty enough. I’m not smart enough. I can’t possibly do x, y or z. I can’t possibly have what I want or my great idea is too difficult, or too time consuming, or who will take me seriously. Even as I write this, I hear a faint whisper calling “nobody will read this and your no authority.” I say F#@% off Charlie!
I used to say F#@% off Charlie a lot or I’d say firmly out loud “STOP.” Personifying and talking back to that inner critic is an extremely effective tool for quieting that annoying non supportive voice in our head. No one taught me this technique, I came to it on my own. I learned over time, through introspection, self inquiry and both traditional and non traditional therapies that this voice is really many voices rolled into one. It could be an amalgamation of your piano teacher, your gymnastics coach, your Aunt, your Dad, your pastor, your best friend when you were 14. Who knows, but it must be disowned. This voice will suck out all the joy and gumption you brought into this life.
I was a prisoner of my own beliefs. Insecure and invisible. The victim in my own story. Hard done by life and people, blaming and floundering to find my footing. I’ll be honest, this went on for a long time. Finally I had a shift. This quote just about sums it up. “You’re gon’ have to say to your self, am I gon’ believe what them fools say about me today?” ― Kathryn Stockett, The Help
Try, try hard to disassociate from the inner critic. It does not have your best interest in mind. It does not want you to succeed and shine. It wants to keep you down. It wants to keep you small. It wants you to feel like a caged bird. Say “HELL NO you got to go.!” I know from experience this isn’t easy. It can take time to delete the negative scripts in your head. It takes commitment. You might need help and that’s okay! I personify the voice and talk back to it . Also for every negative thing it says, I offer back the opposite OUT LOUD. You may find your own techniques and their are various practices that may help. Don’t delay. You’ve got a lot of life yet to live. Remember, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important. ― Kathryn Stockett, The Help