For those of us born to parents who survived the Great Depression, we were trained to heed the Inner Critic. “Amount to something!” “Get an education” were mantras in my house starting at about age 2 or 3. I wondered a few years ago when I completed a second fellowship to add to my two advanced degrees if my parents would have considered that enough.
In medicine we all have an Inner Critic that asks whether we did all we could in a given case. That’s a good thing. What’s not as good is to ruminate on past discrepancies or even errors and get stymied in moving forward.
I personally find the current climate of holism generally healthy. That is, we are more than the sum of our parts and the universe is made of countless perspectives other than our own.
I enjoy being outside, watching the night sky, absorbing great music, and experiencing myself as a tiny, yet relevant part of it all. The philosophical shift into a more universal view that comes at our time of life is richly reassuring.
Great read...again! I can't believe YOU have this friend too. I thought I was the only one. Sometimes it doesn't help especially when you have a small business (you know) with employees who mistreat you. But even more so when you're an artist! Toughest job ever, IMO- putting all of yourself out there for the world to see. You cant cram or fudge, or pretend at all. All of those strategies are good to know and I have practiced a few. I personally have to expel it out loud- GET OUT! Or start to visualize something pleasant to calm my brain. Thank you again for your writings!
It's a particularly hard culture, this one, and perhaps especially in these times. A bit of empathy goes a long way in a very competitive culture in which people are all too eager to encourage others' inner critics. I do find that life experience and maturity are helpful in nurturing ones confidence. But of course it's an ongoing battle, and creatives are experts in turning that into performance.
Very interesting. I had assumed that the Inner Critic abided in a select few of us. But I can well believe that he is a universal human experience. The next Interesting question: why does he pose an existential threat to some of us but acts as a mere annoyance to others? Among Satan’s Biblical names is The Accuser. (AKA the deceiver, the father of lives, the bringer of confusion, etc.) So, if the best defense is a strong offense, then proactively pursuing spiritual growth might put us in a stronger position to face down this psychic assailant. Maybe.
This article was extremely helpful, Don, as I too have an inner critic. I do practice a few things on the list of suggestions, but I'd never heard of befriending the critic. Mine's probably irritated with me right now as I've been working hard to send her packing ;)
Thanks, Don. I don't think it's useful to shut the door in the face of the Inner Critic. Saying "oh there you are, haven't seen you in a while" is a way to invite her in to be one voice at the table along with other more generous, appreciative voices. You just don't want her to eat all the cake.
For those of us born to parents who survived the Great Depression, we were trained to heed the Inner Critic. “Amount to something!” “Get an education” were mantras in my house starting at about age 2 or 3. I wondered a few years ago when I completed a second fellowship to add to my two advanced degrees if my parents would have considered that enough.
In medicine we all have an Inner Critic that asks whether we did all we could in a given case. That’s a good thing. What’s not as good is to ruminate on past discrepancies or even errors and get stymied in moving forward.
I personally find the current climate of holism generally healthy. That is, we are more than the sum of our parts and the universe is made of countless perspectives other than our own.
I enjoy being outside, watching the night sky, absorbing great music, and experiencing myself as a tiny, yet relevant part of it all. The philosophical shift into a more universal view that comes at our time of life is richly reassuring.
P
Great read...again! I can't believe YOU have this friend too. I thought I was the only one. Sometimes it doesn't help especially when you have a small business (you know) with employees who mistreat you. But even more so when you're an artist! Toughest job ever, IMO- putting all of yourself out there for the world to see. You cant cram or fudge, or pretend at all. All of those strategies are good to know and I have practiced a few. I personally have to expel it out loud- GET OUT! Or start to visualize something pleasant to calm my brain. Thank you again for your writings!
It's a particularly hard culture, this one, and perhaps especially in these times. A bit of empathy goes a long way in a very competitive culture in which people are all too eager to encourage others' inner critics. I do find that life experience and maturity are helpful in nurturing ones confidence. But of course it's an ongoing battle, and creatives are experts in turning that into performance.
This is great work that is helpful on multiple levels. Thank you for doing this.
Very interesting. I had assumed that the Inner Critic abided in a select few of us. But I can well believe that he is a universal human experience. The next Interesting question: why does he pose an existential threat to some of us but acts as a mere annoyance to others? Among Satan’s Biblical names is The Accuser. (AKA the deceiver, the father of lives, the bringer of confusion, etc.) So, if the best defense is a strong offense, then proactively pursuing spiritual growth might put us in a stronger position to face down this psychic assailant. Maybe.
This is one strong piece, Don. Keep up the good work!
This article was extremely helpful, Don, as I too have an inner critic. I do practice a few things on the list of suggestions, but I'd never heard of befriending the critic. Mine's probably irritated with me right now as I've been working hard to send her packing ;)
Thanks, Don. I don't think it's useful to shut the door in the face of the Inner Critic. Saying "oh there you are, haven't seen you in a while" is a way to invite her in to be one voice at the table along with other more generous, appreciative voices. You just don't want her to eat all the cake.