How Self-Compassion Silenced My Inner Critic

My constant torment is now a thing of the past. Practising self-compassion has transformed my relationship with negative self-talk

From the moment I woke up, it would start—that little voice in the back of my mind, pointing out everything I was doing wrong.

“You’re not good enough. You’re going to mess this up.”

It was relentless, like a broken record just playing the same negative stuff over and over.

I tried to drown it out with positive self-talk, but that voice was always there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on any opportunity to put me down.

It was exhausting to fight that battle with myself every single day.

The voice got especially loud when I was working.

As a writer, I was in a constant struggle for perfection. But nothing I did was ever good enough for Critic in my head.

“That sentence doesn’t quite work. Your metaphors are boring.”

I would agonise over every word for hours, killing any joy I got from writing.

The pressure to be perfect was crushing. And Critic was just getting louder and meaner. I felt like I was drowning in negativity.

At my lowest point, I stumbled on the idea of self-compassion. At first, I was sceptical—how could being nice to myself really help?

But I decided to give it a shot.

I started treating myself with the same kindness and understanding I would show a friend.

Instead of berating myself for flaws, I tried to accept them as a normal human thing.

Critic’s voice started to soften, like waves on a beach. The giant it once seemed to be started shrinking into nothing.

It wasn’t an overnight change. But slowly, Critic got quieter.

When it piped up, I could remind myself, “I’m doing my best,” and drown it out with support.

The weight of perfection floated away, and writing started to breathe again.

Now, when setbacks come, I can stay strong.

Critic is there, but it has no power. I treat myself with care and respect, so its nasty whispers don’t affect me.

Today, Critic is a faint echo in the distance.

I know my worth, just as I am.

Self-compassion has become a lifeline, calming my mind.

What was deafening roar is now a peaceful murmur beneath the sound of my self-acceptance.

Writing brings joy instead of stress.

I create from the heart, not chasing some impossible standard. In nurturing myself, I’ve found my true voice as a writer.

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