Why We All Have an Inner Critic (and How to Soften It)

There’s a voice in your head that always seems to have something to say.

It comments on what you said in that meeting, how you look in a photo, how you should’ve handled that text differently.

It’s the one that whispers, “You should’ve done better,” or “You’re too much,” or “You’re falling behind.”

That voice is what psychologists call the inner critic — the part of you that tries to keep you in line, safe, and acceptable.

And although it sounds harsh, it often started with good intentions.