Would you believe that only a few simple tips could quiet and redirect your inner critic? My intention this month is to give you some ideas on how to play with that voice that says 'do more, faster, better!'
The first step to quieting your critical voice is to notice when you are judging or criticizing yourself. While this may seem like a simple task, it can be difficult to distinguish your inner critic and what is actually happening. Noticing requires that you tune into your body sensations. When my inner critic is out to play, I normally notice uncomfortable body sensations, such as a tightness in my shoulders or fast shallow breaths. When that happens I take a series of belly breaths
(4 - 6 full in breaths and out breaths) and then ask myself:
oWhy am I criticizing myself?
oWho's voice am I hearing?
oIs criticizing myself distracting me from something else?
oWhat do I really want?
Is this critical voice assisting you in your life? If not, are you willing to play with the persona? One possibility is choosing to get creative and redirect the inner critic persona by assigning it a limited area of responsibility, maybe the safety officer. Your inner critic is a part of you that wants to be loved. I invite you to look at ways of playing with your critic and not getting so serious about the content of the dialogue.
Over the past two months I have been busy with many transitional questions, some of which have been prompted by me deciding to sell my house. I am going to be moving to another part of San Francisco. This has been a great time to clear out my files, closets and items that have been on my 'to do list' for months, like completing my first newsletter. I notice I feel more energy and an expansiveness in my chest as I finish typing these last few words. I invite you to check into your body sensations and your energy level as you complete your next task.
Relationship Skills Series
Are you having problem communicating with friends, collegues or loved ones? In this six week course you will learn skills that can be used in all aspects of your life.Come learn how to:* Speak in a way that ends arguments
* Recognize how you get stuck in familiar patterns and shift into what you really want
Do you long to share your life with someone you genuinely love and that feels the same about you? Are you tired of the same relationship patterns that seem to be recurring in your life? If so,Come learn how to:* Attract your ideal partner
* Create a relationship based on co-creativity not
co- dependence
Are you wondering where the curiosity and playfulness has gone in your relationship? Do you want to end blame and criticism with your partner?Come learn how to:* Choose playfulness over defending
* Move from blame to wonder
* View each other as appreciation projects not improvement projects
