That Inner Critic and How It Fuels Anxiety
You know that little voice in your head that whispers things like, “You should’ve done better,” or “They’re probably judging me”? That’s your inner critic. Most of us have one, but when it gets too loud, it can dramatically increase feelings of anxiety.
It can be so convincing. It tries to “protect” you from looking silly or getting things wrong. But really, all it does is chip away at your confidence and keep you stuck overthinking everything.
How the Inner Critic Feeds Anxiety
The louder that critical voice gets, the more anxious you feel, and the more anxious you feel, the louder it gets. It’s a loop that can leave you second-guessing yourself, overthinking conversations, or feeling tense for no obvious reason.
You might notice it in moments like:
Overthinking every word you said in a meeting or chat
Feeling your stomach twist before speaking up
Constantly replaying mistakes
Comparing yourself to everyone else and feeling “less than”
Sound familiar? That’s your inner critic at work, pretending it’s helping, but really just stirring anxiety.
Where That Critical Voice Comes From
No one is born self-critical. That voice usually grows out of old experiences, maybe being judged, corrected too often, or feeling like you had to earn approval. Over time, those moments can become persistent beliefs:
“I have to get everything right.”
“If I make a mistake, people won’t like me.”
“I’m not good enough.”
They become part of how you think and feel, often without you even noticing.
My Own Inner Critic Moment
I still remember my first big talk in front of a group. My hands were shaking, my heart racing, and that inner critic was in full force. It was telling me I was rambling, that no one would listen, and that I’d probably get it all wrong.
Afterwards, someone came up and said, “That was really inspiring.” I smiled, but honestly, inside I didn’t believe it. That’s when I realised how loud and persuasive that voice can be, even when it’s completely wrong.
It’s moments like these that led me to explore RTT® hypnotherapy, learning to work with my mind instead of against it. And that’s exactly what I now help clients do: quiet the inner critic, reduce anxiety, and build genuine confidence.
How to Turn the Volume Down
You don’t have to silence your inner critic completely, just stop letting it take the wheel. Next time it pipes up, try this:
💬 Notice it. Pause and ask, “Whose voice is this really?”
💗 Question it. Is what it’s saying actually true, or is it just an old story replaying?
🌿 Shift the tone. Respond with kindness: “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
💪 Celebrate small wins. Each time you respond with compassion instead of criticism, you’re retraining your brain for calm and confidence.
When the Inner Critic Runs Deep
Sometimes, the critic is relentless, no matter how much journaling, meditation, or self-help you try. That usually means it’s rooted deeper, in your subconscious.
That’s where RTT® (Rapid Transformational Therapy) comes in. RTT® helps you uncover where those anxious thought patterns began, release them gently, and reframe them at the root. Many clients describe it as finally being able to breathe again.
It combines hypnotherapy, CBT, NLP, and neuroscience, helping you release old beliefs and rebuild self-trust from the inside out.
If overthinking and anxious thoughts are taking over, Anxiety Hypnotherapy can help you calm your mind and quiet the inner critic.
You Deserve to Feel Calm and Confident
Your inner critic isn’t the truth, it’s just a set of old stories trying (and failing) to protect you. When you start noticing it and treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend, anxiety starts to ease, and confidence grows naturally.
Every small step, noticing the critic, responding kindly, celebrating a win, quietly reshapes your mind. And that makes a big difference over time.
Real-Life Transformation: From Overthinking to Calm Confidence
One client came to me struggling with constant overthinking and anxiety. She’d spend hours replaying conversations, worrying about what others thought, and doubting herself at every turn.
After just one RTT® session, we uncovered the root of her self-doubt, old messages from childhood quietly shaping her thoughts. Through hypnotherapy, she was able to release those patterns and replace them with calm and self-trust.
Now, she notices the inner critic, but it no longer runs the show. She feels more confident speaking up, takes opportunities without second-guessing herself, and even enjoys situations she once found stressful.
This shows how RTT® doesn’t just mask anxiety, it helps you address the underlying story and create lasting change.
Ready to move forward?
If you’re ready to quiet that inner critic and feel calmer, clearer, and more confident, RTT® hypnotherapy can help. It’s not about “fixing” you, it’s about understanding the story that’s been running in the background and gently changing it.
You can book a free, relaxed consultation using the button below, no pressure, just a friendly chat to see if it feels right for you.
BOOK MY FREE CONSULTATION
Look after yourself,
Joanna x
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– Helps quiet self-doubt and the inner critic, so you can feel calmer and more confident.
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