Your inner critic is trying to keep you safe

Did you know that the harsh voice in your head that tells you you’re not good enough actually developed to protect you? It’s trying to help you stay safe from rejection, failure, or disappointment by keeping you in your comfort zone. It learned early on that criticism has the power to keep you small, and therefore prevent you from feeling pain.

But staying safe doesn’t have to mean staying small. The voice that once protected you may now be holding you back from growth, connection, and living the life you want and deserve.

Part of our aim together in counselling is to try to understand your inner critic, not silence it. If we can offer it compassion and thank it for trying to help, we can gently show it new ways to feel safe, including:

• Taking risks

• Being vulnerable

• Trusting yourself and others

• Growing beyond your old limits

This way, you acknowledge your fear AND build trust in yourself to move forward despite it. If your inner critic has been running the show, counselling can help you find a healthier balance, empowering you to feel both safe and free.