Meet the Inner Critic
We all know that voice inside — the one that says “Don’t mess this up,” “You should have done better,” or “Why can’t you be more like them?” That’s the Inner Critic.
In this episode of The Inner War: The Path to Self-Compassion, Gary explores where the critic comes from, why it developed, and how it shows up in different disguises. You’ll also hear why the critic is not your enemy — it’s a survival strategy that has simply gone too far — and how compassion, not resistance, begins to soften its grip.
🌱 In this episode you’ll learn:
The evolutionary roots of the critic — why it began as protection.
How language turned survival instincts into harsh inner dialogue.
The four masks of the critic: The Taskmaster, The Judge, The Comparer, and The Catastrophizer.
Why the critic fuels shame, intensifies perfectionism, and keeps your nervous system on high alert.
How to begin meeting the critic with compassion instead of fear.
✨ Self-Compassion Project (Active Practice):When you hear the critic’s voice — “You’re not enough,” “Don’t mess this up,” “You’ll regret this” — pause and name it:“This is my Inner Critic. It’s trying to protect me.”
Then add:“Thank you for trying to keep me safe. But I don’t need you to speak to me this way anymore. May I treat myself with kindness instead.”
Reflection Question:If your Inner Critic had a job title, what would it be — The Taskmaster? The Judge? The Comparer? The Catastrophizer? How might seeing it this way shift your relationship to it?
