7 Ways to Silence Your Inner Critic

Self-Criticism can be lethal for our health and happiness.  Here are 7 ways to silence your inner critic quickly.

1. Write it Down:  Keep a daily list of all the critical things you tell yourself.
2. Tell and Imaginary Child:  Imagine a child standing before you.  Criticize them from the list you’ve made for yourself.
3. Visualize:  See your critical thoughts floating away in bubbles, on clouds, whatever resonates with you visually.
4. Create a Stop Sign:  settle on a signal to yourself that will act as a stop sign for self criticism when you catch yourself in the act.  Example:  press your thumb and middle finger together while taking a deep breath.
5. Comfort Yourself with a Physical Gesture:  It could be anything – rub the back of your hand gently, touch your face with soft fabric, skip, jump – whatever sooths you.
6. Replace the Criticism with something affirming.  Create the affirmation that resonates with you and have it handy when self-criticism strikes.
7. Practice Awareness (Mindfulness):  Become aware of your critical thoughts  but detach from them.  Let them float by as if they were boats on a river passing before you.