When Your Inner Critic Gets Too Loud

How many times have you caught yourself being way too hard on yourself?

We all have that voice — the inner critic — that second-guesses, undermines, and judges. Mine shows up with lines like, “Carol, that was a dumb thing to do,” or “Geez, Carol, that was stupid,” especially when I haven’t been able to get something right the first time.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing — we would never speak to a friend like that. If someone we cared about was struggling, we’d offer support, encouragement, or a gentle nudge in the right direction. But when it comes to ourselves? We’re often brutal.

And over time, that voice doesn’t just chip away at our confidence — it can completely silence it. If we keep listening to it, it limits our growth, dulls our courage, and keeps us playing small.

So now, when I catch that inner critic flaring up, I try to pause and ask:

Is this helpful? Is this even true?

And then I flip the script: What would I say to a friend right now?

It’s not about silencing the inner critic forever — it’s about lowering its volume and choosing to tune into something kinder, something more helpful.

Because the voice we listen to most... shapes the life we build.

So, what kind of life do you want to build?
One led by fear and self-doubt, or one shaped by encouragement, growth, and possibility?