HOW TO TAME INNER CRITICAL VOICE?
Do you hear persistent negative voices in the head that say things like “you are a fool,” “you are worthless,” “you are not good enough”? Have you ever thought about why you think like that? Have you ever noticed that these voices take away your self-confidence and self-worth?
Do you realize that these voices make you feel sad and lonely? A research study conducted by Alain Morin and Breanne Hamper shows that inner speech is related to self-awareness and self-reflection.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY INNER CRITICAL VOICES?
Inner critical voices refer to patterns of negative and harmful thoughts in the mind that direct people to engage in destructive behaviors and actions.
WHY DO WE HAVE INNER CRITICAL VOICES?
The origins of inner critical voices can be traced back primarily to childhood experiences. If the child’s relationship with the parent figure is based on violence, then the child tends to internalize the negative thoughts and beliefs of the primary caregivers. Inner critical voices, also, develop from interactions with friends and siblings.
WHY ARE INNER CRITICAL VOICES HARMFUL?
Have you ever backed out of relationships because you have had thoughts saying things like, “I don’t think I am good enough for him/her,” “I don’t think this relationship would work”? Such nagging inner critical voices are harmful for building relationships.
Carolyn Joyce points out that inner critical voices play a huge role in destroying human relationships. These critical voices are always full of anger, hatred, and sadness. They function as barriers between you and other people by making you feel unloved and unworthy.
The voices end up feeding on your insecurities; thus, making it extremely difficult for you to open up with people in relationships.
Research also shows that critical inner voices have a negative impact on mental health. In fact, Lisa Firestone, a clinical psychologist, speaks about the links between critical inner voice and depression. She says that it is necessary to conquer self-critical inner voices which trigger the lows in depression by consciously observing the harmful thoughts and beliefs which constitute inner critical voices.
