Talking Back to Your Inner Critic: How to Reclaim Your Confidence

Lora Crestan
Aug 7
2 min read

We all have a voice in our head. How many of us talk back to it?

We all have that voice in our head.

The one that says:

"You're not ready for this promotion."
"Who are you to speak up?"
"You should be further along by now."

That voice? It's not the truth. It's your inner critic. A mix of fear, outdated beliefs, and perfectionism. And it’s been quietly steering your decisions for far too long.

Why the Inner Critic Shows Up

Your inner critic often tries to keep you safe. But it’s using an old rulebook.

It sees risk and says: retreat.
It sees growth and says: you’re not ready.
It sees success and says: must be a fluke.

If you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, chances are your inner critic has been working overtime. One of my clients won a major industry award, and then spent the night convinced it was a mistake.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

You don’t need to eliminate your inner critic. You need to talk back to it.

Here’s how.

The 5-Step Process to Reclaim Your Voice

Name the Critic Give your inner critic a name and a persona. This helps create distance. One client called hers "The Professor" because of its judgy tone.
Get Curious Ask: What is this voice trying to protect me from? What fear is underneath this comment?
Challenge the Evidence Most of the critic’s messages fall apart under scrutiny. What’s the actual evidence this is true? What evidence proves it’s not?
Reframe with Compassion Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a close friend.

"You're nervous, yes. But you’re prepared. You've done hard things before."

Take Imperfect Action The fastest way to quiet your critic? Move anyway. Confidence comes from showing up, not from waiting until you're sure.

Why This Matters in the Integrated Life

When we talk about living an integrated life, we can’t just schedule better. We have to think better.

Your inner voice shapes everything - your schedule, your confidence, your willingness to rest, and your ability to take risks.

Shifting that voice from critic to coach is core to the integrated year and week. Because without that shift, even the best plan will crumble under the weight of doubt.

Talking Back to Your Inner Critic: How to Reclaim Your Confidence

We all have that voice in our head.

The one that says:

"You're not ready for this promotion."

"Who are you to speak up?"

"You should be further along by now."

That voice? It's not the truth. It's your inner critic. A mix of fear, outdated beliefs, and perfectionism. And it’s been quietly steering your decisions for far too long.

Why the Inner Critic Shows Up

Your inner critic often tries to keep you safe. But it’s using an old rulebook.

It sees risk and says: retreat.

It sees growth and says: you’re not ready.

It sees success and says: must be a fluke.

If you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, chances are your inner critic has been working overtime. One of my clients won a major industry award, and then spent the night convinced it was a mistake.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

You don’t need to eliminate your inner critic. You need to talk back to it.

Here’s how.

The 5-Step Process to Reclaim Your Voice

Name the Critic Give your inner critic a name and a persona. This helps create distance. One client called hers "The Professor" because of its judgy tone.

Get Curious Ask: What is this voice trying to protect me from? What fear is underneath this comment?

Challenge the Evidence Most of the critic’s messages fall apart under scrutiny. What’s the actual evidence this is true? What evidence proves it’s not?

Reframe with Compassion Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a close friend.

"You're nervous, yes. But you’re prepared. You've done hard things before."

Take Imperfect Action The fastest way to quiet your critic? Move anyway. Confidence comes from showing up, not from waiting until you're sure.

Why This Matters in the Integrated Life

When we talk about living an integrated life, we can’t just schedule better. We have to think better.

Your inner voice shapes everything - your schedule, your confidence, your willingness to rest, and your ability to take risks.

Shifting that voice from critic to coach is core to the integrated year and week. Because without that shift, even the best plan will crumble under the weight of doubt.

So, the next time that voice chimes in? Pause. Name it. Challenge it. Then move.

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