Self-Discovery Journaling Day 7: Your Inner Critic
Welcome To 21 Days Of Self-Discovery Journaling
These self-discovery journaling sessions are an invitation for you to get to know yourself better, for you to tune into what your heart, body, & mind have to say, and for you to connect with your soul. Here are a few guidelines for you to follow as you commit to each session.
Try not to judge what you receive
Write freely & set your inhibitions aside
Be honest with yourself
Listen to your inner world and honor what it has to say
Have fun with these journaling sessions
Try the alchemy practice at the end of each session (it will help you realign your energy & direct your focus)
For Day 7, You're Encouraged To Tune Into Your Inner Critic.
What You'll Need
A Journal/Notebook or 3/4 Pieces Of Paper (See Alchemy Practice Below)
A Pen
A Box Of Tissues
Appx. 30 Minutes Of Free Time
A Quiet Place To Journal
Journaling Steps
This shouldn't be difficult. The inner critic can't wait to give her opinion. So for today, we're going to give her some space to say what she wants to say. Tune into that inner critical voice, and start to journal down all that you hear.
It doesn't matter what it is. For today, we're giving her a chance to speak and get out everything that she wants to say. All her fears, all the things that she "thinks" you are not, all the things that she "thinks" you've done wrong. Give her space to say it.
This process will obviously bring up some negative emotions. Breathe through them. All you're doing here is listening to what this voice has to say. It doesn't mean she is right. It just means that these are some of the feelings that you are holding inside about yourself. Breathe through it, cry through it, but get it onto the page.
After you're done writing down all the things she has to say (you can stop when you feel like you've heard enough), I want you to write a list of all the people who contributed to that inner critical voice. These will be the people who said similar things to you when you were young or who have made you feel bad about yourself. Write down a list of those people.
Step number 4 is so that you can see "what you're surrounded by and have accepted as truth plays a role in your inner world". You may not even realize the impact it has had on your self-esteem and sense of being.
After you're done writing down the list of people. I want you to write I forgive you on the top of the page and then read each name along side it. Ex. I forgive you _____________ (fill in the name) for adding to my inner critical voice. I realize you were critical of me because you were also critical of yourself or because other people were critical of you. I release this. I don't need your feedback any longer.
Do that with each person on the list. Say it out loud, feel it, and embrace it. You really don't need that feedback any longer. It isn't positive, it doesn't help you move forward, and it's damaging to your sense of self.
After you're done writing down what your inner critic has to say and you've gotten to the bottom of who added to that inner critical voice, I want you to try the alchemy practice below and here's a free Soul Whisper's track "Some Words For Your Inner Critic" that can help you as well.
Take Your Journaling A Step Further
If you want to add a different dimension to this journaling session, draw a picture of your inner critic.
Don't judge your drawing skills. You don't have to be an artist. All you're trying to see is what this inner critical voice looks like personified.
If drawing is not your thing and you don't connect with that method, find a character from a movie or a play that reminds you of your inner critic. Make a mental note of who that character is. That way, everytime your inner critical voice starts to speak, you have an image of that character in your head. It will help put things into perspective. You'll be able to see that it's just a persona that's amplified and not something that you have to actually take personally.
I think of Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada and how she treated the Anne Hathaway character ~ that is how my inner critic is. It didn't matter what that girl did, Meryl's character was so mean to her. That's what your inner critic is like. It's irrational. It's mean. It's nasty and she most of the time has not taken into account any positive aspects of you.
Once you have drawn the image of your inner critic or have made a mental note of the character that personifies your inner critic, try the alchemy practice below.
Alchemy
Take the pieces of paper that you wrote down your inner critic's voice on (and your list of people who added to your inner critical voice) and burn the pages.
Make sure you have a safe place to burn the pages (a firepit or fireplace would be the safest place), but there are also fire proof containers that you can use. Safety first!
I cannot explain to you just how therapeutic it is to release all of that through burning the pages. It gives you a new start. The energy can then be transformed into something else. That's the beauty of alchemy.
You turn one thing from a substance that has no value into something else with value.
This process is going to help you release that energy. It's you clearing the air to make way for the new. Yes, you've let the voice speak, you've written down who added to the voice, you've forgiven those who've added to that voice and realized that they acted that way because they too were judged, and now you get to let it all go by burning the pages. You get to start fresh.
If you did the extra piece above by drawing your inner critic or picking a character that personified your inner critic, go ahead now and draw your inner guide, inner ally, or higher-self or choose a character to come to the aid of your inner critic. This is the image that will come up and cancel out anything that your inner critic has to say. She'll give you tips and advice to work around it, she'll take your positive aspects into consideration, and she'll steer your inner critic towards a more positive way of viewing you.
That's the alchemy. We're giving your inner critic an inner ally so that she doesn't have to start a war when she feels scared. Give it a try.
Well There You Have It ~ Day 7 Of Self-Discovery Journaling
If you need help to release blocks, embrace your path, or to work through any of the issues that you discovered during this self-discovery journaling session, a Soul Session may be right for you.
You'll get to work directly with me and my spirit guides to move through your blocks, embrace your path, and align with your core vibration.
You'll get in-depth feedback from my spirit guides, key steps to help you move forward on your journey, and a bonus “Daily Alignment” meditation. If that sounds like something you're interested in follow me to view the Soul Session details.
Live Well & Keep Creating!
P.S. I would love to hear from you. If you received any "aha" moments or revelations during your journaling session feel free to email me and tell me all about it. I love when people tune in and discover more than they expected.
Did You Enjoy This Article?
If so, be sure to hit like, comment, share, and subscribe to the Spirit & Muse Newsletter. You’ll get the latest blog posts + inspiration + updates sent straight to your inbox.