Harmony Within - Is your Inner voice a Critic or a Guide?

Have you ever faced a moment where you thought, 'No, I cannot do this' or 'I am not going to make it' or even 'This is not my forte'?

We've all had our share of such moments – times when a specific task seemed impossible to do, accompanied by a flutter of nerves. It can be so intense that you find yourself clenching your fists until they ache.

Here's a personal experience in this context, with the hope that it might resonate with you. Despite being an outgoing and sociable individual, I've always found phone conversations lasting more than a couple of minutes to be a challenge. The reasons, I am really unsure of. Then, last year in June, a seemingly simple task awaited me: making a phone call. Hours passed, and despite my efforts, only one call was made, one conversation held.

All the while, before having that conversation, there was a clear internal voice shouting, 'No, you cannot do this,' painting vivid worst-case scenarios that heightened my anxiety. That day, I was bewildered at the way I was listening to this voice and felt totally lost without a solution. But then, like most days, I never reached out for help and I had decided to push through.

In the days that followed, during an all-women discussion at work centered around our 'INNER CRITIC,' I found myself confronting a term that was somewhat foreign. The host had some questions, that set me on deep thinking mode: 'Have you heard your inner voice?', 'Was it assertive or tentative?', 'When did you most strongly hear this inner voice?'

Suddenly, I had the answers. This strong inner voice emerged whenever I faced something new, encountered change, or confronted past struggles. It materialized in crowds, and when I feared my vulnerabilities would be laid bare. These revelations were such an eye-opener, as I had never reflected on why certain fears held me back. It brought a sense of clarity and relief.

Isn't it something we all experience from time to time? The desire to step beyond our comfort zones, only to be met with a resounding internal 'you can't.' I feel it's perfectly normal. So, what does one do when that inner critic speaks loudly?

Let me share some insights that I had, which helped me:

• Allocate time and space to introspect, understand whether uncertainty stems from your inner critic, biases, or a fear of the unknown.
• Document instances when you've heeded your inner critic and what it conveyed.
• Recognize the circumstances or events that trigger your inner critic, understand their origin and purpose.
• Speak kind words to yourself aloud, especially in response to triggers.
• Accept that while you may reduce your inner critic's influence, silencing it entirely is a Herculean task.
• Seek guidance from a trusted confidante known for offering sound solutions to challenges.

Implementing these steps allowed me to bring down the noise of my inner critic, transforming it into a compass, guiding me through uncertainties.

So, here's a question to you: are you still nurturing your inner critic, or are you shifting its voice to that of a guiding mentor?"