I don’t have a day off from PTSD, depression or anxiety

June 1, 2023

Have you ever found yourself caught in a cycle of negative self-talk? Maybe you're always criticizing yourself for not being good enough or for making mistakes. While it's normal to have some level of self-criticism, too much can be harmful to our mental health and wellbeing. If you're struggling with your inner critic, there's a powerful tool you can use to counteract it: replacing it with the voice of a good friend.

When we're talking to ourselves, we often use a harsh, critical tone that we wouldn't use with our friends. If we were talking to a friend who made a mistake or was feeling down, we would likely offer them words of comfort and support. We would remind them of their strengths and encourage them to keep going. By replacing our own inner critic with the voice of a good friend, we can cultivate more self-compassion and start to silence the negative voice in our heads.

Here are some steps you can take to replace your inner critic with the voice of a good friend:

Notice your self-talk

The first step is to become aware of your self-talk. When you catch yourself engaging in negative self-talk, take a moment to pause and notice what you're saying to yourself. Is it something you would say to a friend? If not, it's time to make a change.

Reframe your self-talk

Once you've noticed your self-talk, reframe it as if you were talking to a friend. What would you say to a friend who was in your situation? How would you offer them support and encouragement? Use those same words to talk to yourself.

Practice self-compassion

Finally, practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend. Remember that everyone makes mistakes and has flaws, and that it's okay to be imperfect. When you're kinder to yourself, you'll find that it's easier to silence your inner critic and cultivate a more positive, supportive inner voice.

Replacing your inner critic with the voice of a good friend can be a powerful tool for cultivating self-compassion and reducing negative self-talk. By noticing your self-talk, reframing it as if you were talking to a friend, and practicing self-compassion, you can start to silence the negative voice in your head and build a more positive, supportive inner voice. Remember, you deserve the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend.