Who is saying all of those harsh things?

Sometimes when a person is quiet, and often when they are alone, the inner critic starts jabbering away, and usually not in a very kind voice...

"Why did you do that? That was dumb. You should have been paying attention."

"Why did you feel you needed to eat that second cookie? Obviously, you didn't need that. Now you're going to have to work it off - what a pain you are."

"No wonder your kids don't spend time with you. You are so bossy."

No matter where you are stuck, how does turning down the volume on your inner critic support your optimal health?

Whoa! Whose voice is that, anyway? And who gives it permission to speak so loudly?

What would happen if you turned towards the voice, with compassion, to identify whose voice it is? Is it one of your parents, who spoke to you that way when you were a child? Or a mean-spirited teacher from elementary school? Perhaps it is a religious leader that you used to look up to.

You can chose to turn down the volume on that harsh voice so that you can hear the other, quieter voices that also reside inside of you.

The ones that say "Wow! You did a really good job! I am so proud of you!"

Or "I love your resilience - you use humor in such a good way!"

Or "You did your best - it is ok to not be perfect, since no one actually is..."

Remembering to pay attention to what or to whom we give voice matters. Notice how you can choose to turn down the volume on your inner critic and turn up the volume on a voice that is healthier. Much healthier. And much kinder.

And how does that feel?

Make turning down the volume on your inner critic and turning up the volume on your kinder, gentler voice a healthy habit.