Is Your Inner Critic Holding You Back?
We’ve all been there—that nagging voice in your head telling you, "You’re not enough," "You’ll fail," or "Why even bother?" That’s your inner critic talking. It pops up at the worst times, undermining your confidence and making everything feel so much harder.
If you’re like most women, especially in midlife, you’ve probably tried to push through it, ignore it, or drown it out with busyness. But here’s the thing: that inner critic doesn’t just go away on its own. In fact, it often gets louder the more we try to suppress it.
So, what can you do about it? How do you quiet that relentless voice in your head?
Here’s the good news—you can ditch your inner critic and replace it with something far more powerful: confidence. And a big part of this transformation comes from understanding your core values and, yes, even using a little something called hypnosis.
Why Does Your Inner Critic Shout So Loud?
Before we get into how to quiet your inner critic, let’s take a moment to understand why it feels so loud in the first place. Your inner critic isn’t just random. It’s been shaped by past experiences—times when you felt you weren’t good enough, when you made a mistake, or when someone else’s expectations didn’t align with your own.
And here’s where it gets tricky: your inner critic loves to get louder during major life transitions. Whether it’s changing careers, navigating menopause, dealing with relationship changes, or even just the daily grind of balancing everything, these moments give your inner critic more ammunition.
Research has shown that people tend to be more self-critical during times of change.
According to Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading researcher on self-compassion, self-critical thoughts often arise as a defense mechanism to protect us from potential failure or rejection. But rather than helping us, these thoughts usually end up making us feel even worse.
The good news is, we don’t have to live with that voice ruling our live.
The Secret to Silencing Your Inner Critic
So, how do you quiet that critical voice? The answer lies in getting clear on what truly drives you—your core values. When you uncover your core values, everything starts to make sense. You’ll understand why certain things drain your energy and make you feel stuck, while others light you up and make you feel alive.
Research on values alignment has shown that when we pursue goals that reflect our personal values, we experience less conflict between our thoughts and actions, leading to a more positive sense of self. (The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology highlights the role of values in goal-setting and personal fulfillment.)
Think about it like this: your inner critic gets loud when you’re out of alignment with your values. When you’re living in a way that doesn’t reflect what truly matters to you, it creates inner conflict. But when you align your life with your core values, that inner critic has less power over you.
From Fear To Inner Confidence
Let me introduce you to Emma. She’s 48 and stepping into a career change that’s both exciting and, well, let’s be honest, a little daunting too. It’s scary, isn’t it? When you’ve been doing something for so long, and then suddenly, you’re stepping into something new, and you start wondering how people will see you?
MEET EMMA'S INNER CRITIC"What if you fail? What will everyone think?"
Emma’s inner critic was loud and clear, throwing out all sorts of thoughts like, “What if you fail?” or “What will everyone think?” It was like this constant voice, nagging at her, making everything feel a little more overwhelming.
But then, as we worked together, Emma had this big lightbulb moment. She discovered that her core value—her big driver—is self-esteem and, just as importantly, the esteem of others. And suddenly, everything clicked for her. It made sense why she was losing sleep, constantly worrying about what people thought. Her colleagues, her family—she was letting their opinions shape her decisions, making the career change feel way riskier than it needed to be.
But with that insight, everything shifted. She realized she didn’t have to be stuck in that loop. She started having clear, honest conversations with the people who mattered most, letting them know what she needed to feel confident and supported. And, most importantly, she started standing up to that inner critic, focusing on what she wanted, not what everyone else might think.
And guess what? The more she did that, the more her confidence grew. It wasn’t because she stopped caring about what others thought altogether—it was because she got clear on what truly mattered to her. She stopped second-guessing herself, started moving forward with purpose, and that inner critic? It finally started to quiet down.
Research supports this approach. Studies show that when people focus on small, meaningful successes, their self-efficacy (the belief in their ability to succeed) increases, which quiets negative self-talk. (Journal of Clinical Psychology).
How Hypnosis Can Help
Now, understanding your core values is a huge part of the puzzle, but sometimes we need a little extra help in clearing the emotional clutter that builds up in our subconscious. This is where hypnosis comes in.
Hypnosis works by tapping into the subconscious mind, where many of our negative beliefs and self-doubt hide. It helps bring these deep-rooted thoughts to the surface, allowing us to finally let them go.
Studies have shown that hypnosis is highly effective in reducing anxiety and self-doubt.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis demonstrated that hypnosis significantly reduces anxiety and improves self-confidence by addressing the subconscious root of these issues. This makes it an ideal tool for helping to quiet your inner critic.
Another study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis found that hypnosis helps people reframe negative beliefs about themselves, making it easier to adopt new, empowering mindsets. For anyone feeling weighed down by their inner critic, hypnosis provides an effective, proven way to release that burden.
Hypnosis helps people reframe negative beliefs about themselves, making it easier to adopt new, empowering mindsets.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Learning to quiet your inner critic isn’t about fighting it or pretending it doesn’t exist. It’s about understanding where that voice comes from, why it’s there, and what you can do to quiet it. By discovering your core values and using tools like hypnosis, you can finally free yourself from the constant second-guessing and self-doubt.
When your actions align with your values, your inner critic no longer controls your life. You’ll start to feel more confident, energized, and in control. And when you add hypnosis to the mix, you clear the path for long-lasting, meaningful change.
So, if you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re always doubting yourself—take a moment to reflect on your core values. Ask yourself: What really matters to me? And if you’re curious about how hypnosis might help you clear the emotional clutter and quiet your inner critic, it might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.
By understanding your inner critic and learning how to quiet it, you’re giving yourself the gift of confidence and clarity—and isn’t that what we all deserve?