The Inner Critic — Whose Voice Are You Really Listening To?

The Inner Critic — Whose Voice Are You Really Listening To?

That harsh voice inside your head may not really be your own. A difficult childhood, emotional deprivation, painful rejection, frustrated ambitions, bullying, and abuse can leave us carrying the criticism of others long after those experiences have passed.

Over time, we internalize these judgments. We begin telling ourselves, “I am no good. I am weak. I am a bad person.” What once came from the outside gradually becomes our own inner voice.

We become our harshest critics, rejecting ourselves, punishing ourselves with guilt, and sometimes engaging in self-destructive behaviors. This self-rejection can also affect our relationships, making us more resentful, envious, and angry towards others.

Healing begins when we recognize this pattern and learn to relate to ourselves with greater compassion. In this excerpt from my 2018 talk at SACAR, Pondicherry, I explore how internalized criticism can shape our relationship with ourselves and others.

— Pulkit Sharma
Clinical Psychologist | Psychoanalytic Therapist | Spiritual Counselor & Author
Pondicherry, India

#SelfCompassion #TraumaHealing #Psychology #Psychoanalysis #EmotionalHealing