Want To Enjoy Life More? Send Your Inner Critic on a Vacation!

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Young woman watching airplane fly by from tropical beach --- Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

What if your inner critic took a vacation?

Let me tell you how this idea came about. One of the things that has most helped my personal growth has to been to pay attention to how I FEEL. And it was while exploring how I could ease back into my heavy workload after a month off, that my life-coach suggested my inner critic could take vacation. My heart leapt at the idea. It felt FANTASTIC! So I paid attention.

(But I was scared too if I’m honest…) Because it’s hard to imagine life without my critic. My inner critic is what drives me, keeps me going. But I know it’s not the best way to be. Do I really need to be pushed and driven? Could I not achieve more if I approached everything with a light and joyful heart, instead of feeling shoulds, musts, guilt and pressure? You bet I could!

So, I even came up with a visual – waving my inner critic off on their Caribbean Cruise – high end, all inclusive, sunshine, relaxation, entertainment. Far away on a big, luxury cruise ship. It makes me smile just to think about it.

So, what would it be like if YOUR Inner Critic took September off? Just a trial run – to give them a much needed break from hassling you… In fact, think of your inner critic as a parent who wants the best for you, but only has one way to show that – through worrying, fault-finding and criticising. The thing is, you’re all grown up now! You can think, decide and act for yourself…

Fancy giving your inner critic a much needed break? Here are some questions to inspire you further:

  • What would you do differently if your inner critic was on vacation?
  • How would you BE different if your inner critic was on vacation?
  • What would it be like to trust and believe in yourself?
  • How would you feel if you could act without second-guessing yourself before, or nit-picking afterwards?
  • How would life feel without a judge in your head evaluating everything?
  • Where would YOU like to send your inner critic on holiday?

You see, I love my job but I rarely fully enjoy it because I’m always so busy trying to do more pushing and beating myself up. With my inner critic away, I know I would ENJOY my work more – in fact I might get TONS done – because I would be enjoying myself! I would feel light. I would be HAPPY!! Relief! Joy! This is who I want to be!!! And my kind, wise self would be in charge…

The thing to watch: The fear that if your critic is not there, you, your life, your work might fall apart. That you might fail, mess up. Because I’m sure you will; make a mistake that is. And your inner critic may call you from that cruise (or wherever you sent them!) and say something like, “I knew that something would go wrong without me there to watch over you. I’m coming home right now!”. And you’ll need to say, “No! Stay right where you are. I’m learning to do this for myself. Please go and enjoy yourself. I HAVE this! I’m learning to trust me. And anyway, I don’t have the cash for your flight, so you’ll have to stay. Go. Go have fun.” Or something like that…

And you’ll need a strategy for each time your inner critic tries to pop up. Mine is, “Sorry, I can’t hear you (they’re on their cell/mobile phone), you’re breaking up!”. And I’ll picture them on that big ocean liner, relaxing and having fun. So it can’t be them that I’m hearing!

And now, while your inner critic is away, there is more room for you. More room for you to run the show, enjoy and take charge of your life. And a great opportunity to practice and develop being your kind, wise self. So, why not try it for a month, and then when your inner critic gets back from vacation you’ll need to have a big chat about what’s next…

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This entry was posted in Happiness, Inner Critic and Gremlins, Inspiring, Knowing Yourself!, Loving Ourselves, Self-Care and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Want To Enjoy Life More? Send Your Inner Critic on a Vacation!

  1. Judy Swanson says:

    Omg, I love that article. I love the visual too of sending your inner critic on a vacation. Life can be so much more rewarding with our inner critic gone. Thank you!

    • Emma-Louise says:

      Dear Judy,

      SO glad you loved the article! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise

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