17

The Critic

The Critic whispers incessantly, a chorus of doubt, judgment, and fear. Its voice echoes in the mind, convincing you that your worth depends on perfection, conformity, or approval. Yet the Critic is rarely truth—it is a reflection of past hurts, societal pressure, and internalized expectations.

Ask: whose voice is this, really? Is it yours, or borrowed from the judgments of others? Awareness is the first step to reclaiming power. By observing the Critic without surrendering to it, the self begins to distinguish between guidance and sabotage.

Do not let the Critic dictate your path. Listen, but choose your own words, your own values, your own standards. Its murmurs are lessons, not laws. Each challenge presented is an opportunity to assert autonomy and self-trust.

The Critic is both caution and teacher: it exists to sharpen discernment, not to shackle the spirit. When mastered, the voices within can become allies rather than jailers, guiding growth instead of breeding fear.