Me, my Inner Critic & I

by Sabine Brosche

I have many different voices inside. I suppose it is my mind talking. One of those voices is harsh, critical and mean. I call this one my Inner Critic: Sometimes it is so worked up and agitated – it is yelling at me. It says things like:

Don’t be so stupid. You are nothing special! Don’t you get it? You are not good enough. You don’t deserve that! And so on…

So what to do with that shouty voice? I do recognise that this is what my Dad used to say to me when he was in a rage. Now it seems I am saying these things to myself in my head. 

Some people say, don’t listen to your negative thoughts. Disconnect. Don’t go there. Think something positive to lift your vibration. Find some way to silence the negative voices.

I have tried it all, and it did not work for me. Now I am experimenting with the opposite: I go quiet and I connect. I sit and I listen intently. 

Listening does not mean agreeing or believing it. It just means ‘listening’. As best as I know how I meet the negative voice with understanding. 

I can see the connection to my past, to my father, his mother, my teachers and my whole upbringing. I can sense how my conditioning has shaped my mind.

Listening 

Today my Inner Critic was yelling and accusing me of being ridiculous, dishonest, a lost cause, unworthy and unsuccessful. It was certain that I would never amount to anything.

I listen with interest and attention. Inwardly I say things like, “I hear you”. “I understand where you are coming from and why you would say this”. And I do.

I listen to the tone of the critical voice and to the content. I don’t argue, I don’t fight, and I don’t defend myself. I don’t try to prove it wrong or try to get rid of it. I don’t analyse. I don’t walk away. I don’t believe it either. 

I don’t agree, and I don’t disagree. I find my spot right in the middle between these two.

I notice that the more I listen with an open and non-bias intention, the quicker the angry Critic seems to lose its charge. After a few minutes of ranting and raving, it was running out of steam.

It expected my opposition. It wanted to involve me. I think it counted on me defending myself – it wanted conflict, tears and drama. I offered none. I did not pour fuel into the fire. No fuel, no escalation. There we were, my Critic and I. Just at that moment I did not feel against it. 

Hearing

Without its anger, my critical Critic seemed a bit lost – not quite sure what to do with itself. It appeared perplexed and uncertain about how to proceed. No longer furious, just a bit grumpy, it was kind of cute.

I said, “I hear what you are saying. And there is some truth to it.”

It had accused me of being dishonest. I can find that. There are situations in my life where I am dishonest – in a subtle way, so not to be seen as dishonest. In that respect, my Critic was right. 

 “Thank you for pointing this out to me.”

This new way is still so unfamiliar and totally out of character for me. It does feel good – so much better than fighting. Conflict is exhausting, whether it is internal or external.

I looked at all the other statements it had brought to my attention. ‘You are unworthy’, stood out to me. 

I said, “I will have a look at this one and get back to you. “

My way of taking a look is to be with it and then use what is called The Work. It is a magical process that can be so surprising – and I love surprises. Coincidentally is also a way of finding peace.

What I got to was this: Ultimately, there is no such thing as a worthy or unworthy person. It just does not exist. Good to know.

by Sabine Brosche, September 2019
_________

The Work by Byron Katie

Developed by Byron Katie, The Work is a method of Self-Inquiry consisting of 4 Questions and Turnarounds.

 I am unworthy.

Is it true?
Can I absolutely know that it is true?
How do I react, what happens, when I believe that thought?
Who would I be without that thought?

Turnarounds

1. I am worthy of me.
2. Everyone is worthy of love.
3. Ultimately there is no such thing as a worthy or unworthy person.

www.thework.com

The post Me, my Inner Critic & I appeared first on Intuitive Counselling - Sabine Brosche.