Silencing Your Inner Critic
Welcome back to another month in our journey towards self-care! This month, I’m focusing on on a habit many of us struggle with Never Speaking Bad About Yourself.
The judgemental inner voice that seems to delight in pointing out our flaws and shortcomings seems to be a universal experience. For some of us, it may be a quiet whisper, while for others, it may feel like someone shouting in our ear. The impact it can have on our self-esteem and well-being is profound. But amidst this common struggle lies the potential for growth and transformation.
By recognizing the power of our thoughts and choosing to speak to ourselves with kindness and encouragement, we can rewrite the script of our inner dialogue.
In energy healing, we understand that negative emotions impact the sacral chakra and the second layer of the energy field. Self-judgment, in particular, affects the solar plexus chakra and the third layer. These negative feelings lie at the root of many of our problems, creating blockages that disrupt the flow of energy throughout our chakra system.
So, how do we break this harmful pattern?
Step One: Recognition
The first step is to become aware of the pattern of negative self-talk. This involves acknowledging when you engage in self-deprecating language or thoughts. As practitioners of Energy Medicine, we excel at identifying these patterns to help guide you in understanding them, transforming them, and helping you work towards healing and growth.
Step Two: Rewriting Our Narrative
The second step is learning to rewrite the narrative. When you catch yourself engaging in self-deprecating language, pause. Intentionally interrupt the cycle and replace those words with affirmations of self-compassion and understanding. For instance, instead of berating yourself for a mistake, acknowledge it as an opportunity for growth. If you say, “I’m so stupid for forgetting to take the trash out,” switch your thinking and say, “I made a mistake. I will learn from it and move forward.” Be sure to give yourself a pat on the back for your awareness in stopping the negative dialogue. Tell yourself, “Wow, I’m so smart for recognizing this pattern. I’m glad I stopped myself from being hard on myself again.”
Step Three: Prevention
The last step is preventing the old negative cycle from returning. It’s important to remain vigilant and be mindful not only of the old pattern but also of the moments you succeed in stopping it in its tracks. Celebrate every step you take to silence the negative inner dialogue, especially when you consciously choose to replace it with self-compassion and kindness. Daily life practices such as meditation, gratitude journals, and positive affirmations can help reinforce self-compassion.
Personally, overcoming self-judgment has been a hurdle in my own journey as well. I've found that one of the most transformative aspects of this work was silencing the inner critic that once plagued me with doubt and negativity. As an avid pickleball player, it was easy to be my own worst critic when I missed a shot. Since doing this work, I've consciously chosen to offer myself words of kindness and encouragement like, “It’s OK. I’ll do better next time.” While it may not have made me a better player in the traditional sense, it still feels better emotionally and mentally.
My hope for you is that you discover what practices resonate most deeply with you to break free from the cycle of self-judgment and speaking badly about yourself.
Remember, you deserve the love and care you so readily give to others. Trust in your ability to heal, and may your path be filled with kindness, compassion, and inner peace.
Stay tuned for next month, where I talk about how to Never Give Up On Your Dreams as the next step in the 12 Steps of Self-Care.
May Networking Call:
Transformative Case Studies In Energy Medicine
Mark your calendars for Monday, May 20th, at 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT / 7 pm CT / 8 pm ET for our upcoming networking call, marking our final session before our summer break. This special event will showcase groundbreaking Energy Medicine case studies from leading practitioners, including a technique now part of the Energy Therapy Advanced course.
As we prepare to reconvene in September, we are excited to evolve our networking call formats to include more case studies in the future. Don’t miss this chance to gain insights into the latest advancements in Energy Medicine. Register in advance for this meeting.
Consider this a monthly self-care, support, and networking call! You are part of the Energy Medicine Specialists community!
Cindy Parsons,
RN, BSN, MS-HCA, SEM
To your journey,
Cindy Parsons, RN, BSN, MS-HCA, SEM
Holistic Nurse
Energy Medicine Practitioner
Instructor—Energy Medicine Specialists
(Read more about Cindy here).