Turning Off My Inner Critic


I've put this blog on hold in order to concentrate on writing a book on classroom management. Some days the writing goes really well. Then there are days when it completely sucks. When that happens I call a friend who is writing her dissertation and we go for a walk or coffee. She always seems to know where I'm stuck and how to help.  Yesterday when I left our coffee date to take another stab at writing about classroom rituals she said, "You might have better luck if you turn off your inner editor."  She was right, and it wasn't just my inner editor that needed to be turned off, it was my inner critic.

  I've never been a fan of the self esteem movement. I'm more of a pull your self up by your boot strap kind of girl. Working hard feels good and gets results. If you want to feel good you have to do good.  I like doing good.  I like working hard and loosing myself in something productive. That doesn't happen when my inner critic is leaning over my shoulder telling me how and where I don't measure up. The funny thing about my inner critic is that it never tells me anything useful, it's just critical. It's just mean. There you have it, my inner critic is a bully. I like learning things and getting better at others.  Writing falls into that category. I don't know what will come of this book. It's the right thing for me to do, so I'm doing it...without my inner critic.

Here's a thought, what would you do if you turned off your inner critic? What risk would you take, what new thing would you try?  The older we get the louder the critic becomes. We're too old, too young, too fat, too thin, too poor, too something. Maybe just for today we can turn off our inner critic and embrace ourselves and each other flaws and all.  Maybe just for today we can turn off our inner critic and practice compassion and understanding. Maybe just for today we can turn off our inner critic and practice honor and humility.  I don't know for sure, but I suspect that we would all be a little happier. After all, it's either fear or love, baby.

                                                   

 

Comments

Charmaine Coimbra said…
I must post a comment on this one.

When I let my beautiful sassy self loose, my best writing is unleashed. Ahhhhh, but that is the challenge--the comfortable release of my beautiful sassy self.

Perhaps I should start each writing moment with the Divine Ms. M's video.

June 29, 2013 at 7:33 AM
Debra said…
It's funny that you said it that way. Thursday I had musical tipping point. One of the guys I play with said, "When you throw yourself into it and let go you are awesome." Words to live by.
June 29, 2013 at 9:30 AM
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