Learning How To Change Your Self-Critical Voice | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Learning How To Change Your Self-Critical Voice

You can make the change.

25
Learning How To Change Your Self-Critical Voice
Google Images

Like anyone else, sometimes I wake up and feel great about the day ahead and about myself. Then, there are those days that are tougher and consist of a lot of self-critical thoughts. I tend to be more critical on myself than anyone or anything else. I set high expectations, and sometimes they are unrealistic. Having goals is great but, when these goals are unrealistic and I can’t achieve them or it seems like the process is taking forever, the self-critical voice will pop up in my head.

Recently, I have been thinking more and more about how to silence this self-critical version of me. I think everyone has this voice in their head that comes out once in a while, some more than others. It is filled with negativity and sometimes anger.

Have you ever been unable to achieve something and think, “ugh, I’m so dumb!” or “I’m just not good enough.”

This is the voice I am talking about.

For some, this voice is a way to motivate you. However, this criticism is harsh and nonconstructive. I want to propose the idea of changing this way of thinking to becoming a more constructive voice that uses kinder language and is more goal oriented.

When you have a negative self thought, question why it is you are reacting in that way. For example, If you are studying for an exam with a friend and later find out you got an 80 while your friend got a 90, you may think, "I am so stupid. They are so much smarter than me." Instead of listening to this voice, turn that thought into a positive motivator. Think, "I know I tried my best, and I will do better than an 80 on the next exam."

Everyone has different things going on in their life and no one is the same, so why would you try to compare yourself to someone else? If two things are not exactly the same, a comparison of worth (self-worth) simply does not make any logical sense!

It may be hard to start and adapt a friendly self-compassionate voice over your harsh self-critical one but, understand that this will take time, patience and trial and error. Try a few different techniques. If talking to yourself doesn't seem to stick, try talking out loud in private or writing your thoughts down and rewriting more positive and goal oriented thoughts.

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”

-E.E Cummings

You are human! Changes don't happen over night or even in a weeks' time. Be kind to yourself, you're the only you you have.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1200
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

337
friends

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

680
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College vs. High School

Freedom vs. Curfew

328
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments