Your Inner Critic Is Full of Sh*t

Tara Kermiet
5 min readJun 9, 2024

We all have that annoying voice in our head telling us we’re not good enough, smart enough, or worthy enough. But that inner critic is full of sh*t. Yep, you heard me right.

Woman holding a megaphone
Photo by Lara Jameson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-a-megaphone-8898688/

Would you talk to your best friend the way you talk to yourself sometimes? What about your kids? Would you say the same things to them? Probably not. So why do you let that little voice tear you down?

Guess what, you’re human, which means you make mistakes and have flaws. But those imperfections don’t define you, and they certainly don’t diminish your worth. It’s time to show yourself some compassion and kindness. Heck, it’s time to start really believing in yourself.

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Think about it. How many times have you held yourself back because that little voice told you you couldn’t do it? How many opportunities have you missed out on because you were too afraid to take the leap? I’d say that it’s about time to stop giving that inner critic so much power and start taking charge of your thoughts and beliefs.

So, how do you silence that relentless inner critic and start believing in yourself more? Here are some steps you can take to kick that negative self-talk to the curb and cultivate a healthier, more positive mindset.

Recognize the Bullsh*t

First things first, call out the bullsh*t for what it is. That inner critic just loves to exaggerate, distort, and downright lie about your abilities, worthiness, and potential. They aren’t facts. They’re just stories you tell yourself, and you have the power to rewrite them.

💡Catch Yourself in the Act

Start paying attention to those negative thoughts as they pop into your head. Notice the patterns and triggers that set off your inner critic. Awareness is the first step to taking back control.

Challenge the Bullsh*t

Now that you’ve identified the bullsh*t, it’s time to challenge it head-on. You’re not going to let those negative thoughts bully you into submission. Instead, you’re going to stand up for yourself and fight back with a healthy dose of reality.

💡Question Your Thoughts

When your inner critic starts spewing negativity, ask yourself: Is this thought really true? What evidence do I have to support it? More often than not, you’ll realize that those negative thoughts are based on assumptions, not facts.

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Replace the Bullsh*t

You wouldn’t let a toxic friend hang around and bring you down, so why do you tolerate it from your inner critic? It’s time to kick that negative voice to the curb and replace it with something more positive and empowering.

💡Practice Self-Compassion

Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. When you catch yourself engaging in negative self-talk, counter it with words of encouragement and self-love. Remind yourself of your strengths, accomplishments, and potential.

Surround Yourself with Support

You’re not in this alone, my friend. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and don’t be afraid to lean on them when you need a little pick-me-up. You can drown out the noise of your inner critic and replace it with the sweet sound of self-confidence and self-belief.

💡Seek Out Positive Influences

Whether it’s friends, family, mentors, or even inspirational books and podcasts, surround yourself with sources of positivity and encouragement. Let their words and actions remind you of your worth and potential.

Celebrate Your Wins

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your victories, no matter how small. Every time you stand up to your inner critic and choose to believe in yourself, it’s a win worth celebrating. So go ahead, pat yourself on the back, and bask in your awesomeness.

💡Keep a Success Journal

Take note of your accomplishments, big and small, and celebrate them regularly. Reflect on how far you’ve come and the obstacles you’ve overcome. You’ll be amazed at the progress you’ve made and the resilience you’ve shown.

You’ve Got This

Your inner critic may be loud, but it’s not always right. So, next time it starts spewing nonsense, tell it to take a hike. You’ve got better things to do than listen to that negativity. Silence the critic and start cheering for yourself instead.

You’re capable, worthy, and deserving of all the good things life has to offer. Don’t let anyone, especially yourself, tell you otherwise. 🫶

I’m Tara Kermiet, I help driven professionals be productive at work and fully present in their personal lives without feeling like they’re failing at both. I teach strategies on how to balance it all with confidence and clarity.

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Tara Kermiet

I am a productivity and success coach helping ambitious and overwhelmed millennials take back control, find purpose, and turn their hot mess into a hot success.