Neuro Exploration: Delving Deeper into Self-Awareness
Day Twenty Five: Reflect on your inner critic
The inner critic is an internal voice characterised by self-judgment and a critical stance toward oneself.
It shapes self-perception and often contributes to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, or depression.
Origins and Purpose:
The inner critic typically develops when a child never feels considered good enough by others during their upbringing.
Children who encounter frequent judgments, ridicule, and a scarcity of positive regard tend to develop a harsh inner critic.
This critical voice often originates from parental influence—especially from critical, controlling, demanding, or abusive parents.
Essentially, the inner critic acts as an introjected, critical parental figure, shaping the child’s inner dialogue.
Neuroscience Insights:
When people experience self-criticism, brain regions associated with increased monitoring of errors, punishment, and behavioral inhibition activate.
In contrast, self-reassurance activates brain regions involved in expressing compassion and empathy toward others.
Remember, understanding and taming the inner critic can lead to greater self-compassion and well-being!
Exercise
What negative self-talk patterns do you notice?
Question
How does the default mode network shape my self-concept? Reflect on self-referential thinking.
I know that the Inner Critic is the largest block to creativity that exists.