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We all have an inner critic. It’s that nagging voice that tells us we’re not good enough or that we’ve messed up. This voice can get really loud, especially on tough days, and can lead to burnout.
One way to quiet this inner critic is to understand and work with it. Instead of trying to shut it off, we should try to understand what it’s trying to protect us from. This approach can help us be kinder to ourselves and reduce the critic’s harshness.
To achieve this, we can start by being aware when the critic shows up. Acknowledge its presence and get curious about what it’s trying to tell us. We can also name it and thank it for trying to protect us. Over time, this practice can help rewire our brains to respond more compassionately.
Ignoring this inner critic can lead to increased stress and burnout. It can make us feel constantly inadequate and overwhelmed, even in supportive environments.
Let’s start by simply noticing when our critic appears. Pause and ask it what it’s trying to achieve. This small step can begin the journey to a kinder, more understanding relationship with ourselves.
Show links
More episodes of You Are Not a Frog:
- How to Deal With Your Inner Critic – Episode 197
- How to Increase Your Confidence and Impact – Episode 198, with Dr Claire Kaye
- How to Ditch the Saviour Complex and Feel More Alive – Episode 88, with Rob Bell
Download the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.
About the guests
Dr Helen Garr
Helen is a GP and recognised expert and leader in the field of wellbeing and mental health. She worked for many years in student health as a GP at the University of Nottingham Health Service, and continues to work in out of hours general practice.
Simon Alexander Lyne
Simon is an integrative psychotherapist with expertise in cognitive behavioural therapy, psychosexual psychotherapy, and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing. He specialises in LGBTQ+/GSRD shame and believes in a collaborative, creative, and evolving approach to therapy.
Reasons to listen
- To learn practical strategies for managing and quieting your inner critic
- To understand the impact of internal critical voices on burnout and stress
- To discover techniques for recognising and addressing signs of burnout in yourself and colleagues
Episode highlights
Everyone needs a work wife
Working with your inner critic
Taking a friendly approach with your inner critic
Recognising negative automatic thoughts
What can clinical leaders do to help their teams?z
Taking a career break
Episode transcript
[00:00:00] Rachel: We all have different names for that nagging voice in our head that tells us we should have done more for patient, we’ve mucked up or we should have really helped help that colleague. But what can you do to quiet that voice which means you can get on with your day? Who can you go to when you need some reassurance or just to have a moon? And if you’re leading a team, how can you spot when other people’s inner critics have jumped into the driving seat? [00:00:25] If you’re in a high stress, high stakes,…
