What is Your Inner Critic Protecting?

A harsh inner critic can feel relentless! Constantly pointing out what you should be doing better, faster, or differently. Many people assume this voice is the truth. In AEDP, we often understand it as protection.

For many of us, the inner critic formed for a reason. It learned that being hard on you might keep you safe (safe from failure, rejection, disappointment, or feeling “not enough”). The problem is, it doesn’t motivate through kindness. It motivates through fear, and over time that can leave you anxious, depleted, or disconnected from yourself.

A gentle question to try is: “What is this part of me afraid would happen if it stopped criticizing?”
Often, underneath the criticism is something tender that needs care… not more pressure.

If your inner critic has been loud lately, you’re welcome to book a free consultation with me and we can explore what it’s protecting, and what it might feel like to meet yourself with more support.