How to interview your inner critic

Have you ever had one of those moments when your inner critic cuts into your headspace and shares their unsolicited hot take on your life? Maybe they chastised you for not meeting your step count for the day or for failing to finish the chapter you’d planned to tackle this week. Or maybe they sat on your shoulder and told you all the reasons your work in progress stinks.

Many of us have experienced that not-so-uplifting input from the place we might least expect it — ourselves.

I recently attended a coaching course where the instructor had someone from the audience volunteer to be interviewed as their inner critic. It was fascinating and enlightening. The person being interviewed was able to examine the reasons for the inner critic does the things it does, such as help her stay on track with her goals and protect her from failure. She also was able to talk through a way in which the inner critic might be a bit more gentle in the future, and she thanked it for being there and making sure things got done.

It might sound silly, but this can be a useful tool if you find yourself battling your inner critic daily over various aspects of your wellness and your writing career. Recognizing the inner critic is working for you and trying to help you (you being “the CEO”), acknowledging the hard work they have been doing, and finding a way to work with them rather than against them can boost your motivation and bring more ease and joy to your writing and wellness journey.

Want to try it? Here’s a script you could use as inspiration to interview your inner critic — or have someone you trust use it to interview you, with you playing the role of your inner critic. Then when you put your “CEO” hat back on, take some time to process the conversation alone or with a friend.

Interview with your inner critic:

1. Find a quiet, comfortable space. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.

2. Imagine your inner critic sitting across from you. Thank them for joining you.

3. Begin the interview with these questions, pausing after each to listen and reflect on the answers:

• “What is your role here?”

• “Where is your office located?” (for example — right next to the CEO’s office, down the hall, in the basement, etc.)

• “What is your relationship with the CEO like?”

• “What do you think would happen to the CEO if you didn’t show up for work?”

• “How does the CEO respond to your input?”

• “What might be some ways you could partner together more gently and effectively?”

4. As you listen to the responses, try to approach your inner critic with curiosity rather than judgment.

5. Thank your inner critic for their time and intention to protect you, even if their methods aren't always helpful.

6. Take a moment to reflect on what you've learned. What insights did you gain about your inner critic's motivations?

7. Close the interview by envisioning a more balanced relationship with your inner critic, where they offer constructive feedback rather than harsh criticism.