“Do You Need an Ego with a  New Inner Critic and Encourager?” by Joan Y. Edwards

Clearly something must be done. My inner critic has gone bonkers. It is never happy with me. I am going on strike! Off with her head! Begone!

I think this might be a case of grief…but grief gets blamed for a lot of things. So let’s look at something different. Perhaps a time in your life where you need for your inner critic to help you revitalize yourself and choose new goals because the old ones, like a shoe with holes in the soles, don’t fit you any more. They don’t meet your needs.

When you play a video game, you get a new life….sometimes they give you one in the next 15 minutes, others 24 hours. Transforming yourself can be tricky. Like a new toy, you need a prototype, right?

Get a pretty box. You can find a few here on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=pretty+boxes+for+keepsakes

Or perhaps you’d like to use a metal tin. Here are a few I found on Amazon.com: https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=pretty+tins+for+keepsakes&crid=9GG5TD8QI0WU&sprefix=pretty+tins+for+keepsakes%2Caps%2C77&ref=nb_sb_noss

You need to be kind to yourself! Only put in this box ideas that are kind and loving to you and for you!

What shall we put in this box?

Kind notes.

Affirmations: I am statements:

Which “I am” statements do you need to put in this box? The opposite of whatever this “out of control” inner critic keeps hollering at you. Here are a few that I need. Perhaps they will help you.

My inner critic keeps hollering: You should do this. You shouldn’t do that. What’s wrong with you? Why did you do that? What were you thinking?

Good things – Affirmations to say.

I make good decisions.
I am smart.
I am caring.
I am creative. I am useful.

I have all the money I need.
I may not have the ability to heal others but my prayers to God will help them in ways I do not know or understand.

This song may help: Katy Nichole: “In Jesus Name (God of possibilities) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R84PqRdZ7_Y

Goals: Your wish list

I wish I was:
I wish I had:
I wish I could:
I wish I would:

Watching this movie might help. It is funny and inspiring: “Last Holiday (2006) with Queen Latifah who plays a character named Georgia. She makes a book of possibilities. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408985/” (I watched it on Prime Video.)

Special note:

Knowing what your fears are can help you let go of them. That is being kind. Fear list.
Realize that your most scary fear has a better chance of escaping you if you think you will handle it okay. That you will survive.

Put the phrases you wish others would say to you in your treasure box. These are things that God says to you. As long as God is happy with you, you don’t have to worry about anyone else.

Put encouraging words in your Treasure Box.

I can do this. I can do this. I can understand this. I will find what I am looking for.

Whenever your inner critic hollers at you, take a sticky note or a piece of notebook paper and write the opposite down. Put it in your treasure box. Things I treasure about me. When someone gives you a compliment. Write it on a sticky note or a piece of notebook paper and put it in your Treasure Box.

Each time your inner critic yells at you, pull out the kind little notes and read them all aloud. Add a note of one thing you are thankful for.

I hope this helps change your focus and that you realize that you are a gift of God. He made you to make a difference in other people’s lives. They may not have shared this with you. I am here to tell you that you have made a difference. Trust me. You have. I love listening to people’s stories. I can tell they made a difference. I know you made a difference, too. If you are an unsung hero, take this time to sing a song for you. “My Story; Your Glory” is a song by Matthew West that we could all sing.  In this video he shows receiving people’s stories from them. I don’t have books for your stories and the stories of others that I have seen or heard. But they are in my mind and my heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdPstrY0Yns&list=RDCLAK5uy_mU14EejSbDsfLuPc9KpNzoC0o-YQvi6I4&index=1

I want you to imagine a picture of God, your creator (your vision of him) being with you right now. Sitting at your table with you…sitting in the easy chair across from you in the living room, or sitting in a porch swing with you. He is there to tell you that he thinks you are a wonderful person and that you are doing all things he wants you to do. When he wants you to do something else, he will let you know and you will know it without a doubt. Love yourself. I am sending my love and hugs to you. If you think no one hears your story, and you want someone to listen. You can tell me. You can write it down and God will read it. Ask God and he will send someone to listen.

Be kind to yourself. Do something fun to celebrate you every day. Celebrate the little things. They help create the bigger things.

Resources

1. Joan Y. Edwards. “Focus Your Time and Reward Your Accomplishments, Especially the Small Ones:” https://joanyedwards.com/focus-your-time-and-reward-your-accomplishments-especially-the-small-ones/
2. Joan Y. Edwards. “God’s Daily Delivery Service:” https://joanyedwards.com/gods-daily-delivery-service/
3. Joan Y. Edwards. “You Are Special, One of a Kind:” https://joanyedwards.com/you-are-special-one-of-a-kind/

Please leave a comment. Tell what helps you when your inner critic gives you a hard time.

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 Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
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