Rewrite Your Inner Critic: Giving Fear a New Job

There’s a voice in my head that shows up every time I’m about to take a leap.

It tells me I’m not ready. That I’m being dramatic. That people will think I’m too much—or not enough.

That voice? It’s my inner critic.And if you’re anything like me, you know it well.

The critic isn’t the enemy—it’s a misunderstood protector.

It’s easy to think of the inner critic as a villain, but more often than not, it started as a shield.

That voice was formed by past experiences—moments that taught us love was conditional, success wasn’t safe, or that visibility came at a cost.Over time, our brains built a defense: If I shrink myself first, no one else can cut me down.

But what kept us safe in the past often keeps us small in the present.

Giving fear a new job

What if we stopped fighting the critic… and gave it a new job?

Instead of silencing the voice or pretending it’s not there, we can take a more radical approach:

We can rewrite it.

Here’s how I’ve started doing it—and how you can, too:

 1. Name the voice.

Giving your inner critic a name separates it from you. It might sound silly, but it helps.

Mine? I call her “Control Carla.”She’s anxious, cautious, and would love for me to just stay quiet, safe, and invisible.

2. Ask what it’s trying to protect.

Before I shut the voice down, I ask it: What are you afraid will happen if I do this?

Sometimes it’s afraid of failure.Sometimes it’s afraid of being rejected or laughed at.Sometimes it just doesn’t want me to be disappointed.

And honestly? I get it.

 3. Reassign its role.

Your inner critic is just fear wearing a mask.

Instead of letting it be the gatekeeper of your life, try giving it a new role:

• Risk Manager: Thanks for the heads-up, but I’ve got this.

• Inner Child: You’re scared, and that’s okay. I’ll take care of you now.

• Creative Companion: Let’s take the leap together.

You’re not exiling the voice—you’re redirecting its energy.

4.  Try this journal prompt:

“If my inner critic had a job description, what would it be? And what new role could I assign it instead?”

Don’t overthink it. Just write.Be honest. Be curious. Be kind.

Final thought: Your inner voice deserves a rewrite, too.

You are not the voice that tells you to stay small.

You are the one choosing to listen, challenge it, and grow beyond it.And that choice? That’s power.

The next time your inner critic chimes in, try saying:

“Thank you for trying to protect me. But we’re writing a new story now.”

Want more like this?Join us for Empower Hour—a free weekly journaling space to explore your story, soften self-judgment, and shift the narrative.Your voice matters. Your rewrite begins now.

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