We all carry a voice inside our heads. It whispers in moments of doubt, it shouts in moments of courage, and it almost always says:
“You’re not good enough. You’ll fail. Why even try?” That voice is the inner critic. And while we often mistake it for truth, the reality is that it is simply an echo of fear, past experiences, and old judgments.
In this blog, I want to sit with you and unpack this critic, where it comes from, how it damages us, and how we can silence it. Along the way, I’ll share a few unforgettable lines from Hindi poets that remind us we are more powerful than we think.
Where the Inner Critic Comes From
The inner critic usually sounds like us but it isn’t truly us. It’s stitched together from:
- Parents who compared us.
- Teachers who mocked us.
- Bosses who only pointed out flaws.
- Society that set impossible standards.
Over time, we absorb those words and repeat them back to ourselves.
💡 Example: I once met a brilliant professional who said she never felt proud of her achievements. Why? Because her father always told her, “Good, but not enough.” That one sentence became her lifelong critic.
The Damage It Causes
The critic pretends to protect us, but in reality it holds us back.
- It paralyzes action → “Don’t try, you’ll fail.”
- It steals joy → “Even your success doesn’t matter.”
- It magnifies mistakes → “One failure defines you.”
The result? We miss opportunities, underplay victories, and lose confidence in ourselves.
How to Challenge the Critic
Here’s a simple 3-step framework:
- Catch it – Notice when the critic speaks.
- Question it – Ask: “Where’s the proof?”
- Correct it – Replace with a kinder, truer voice.
💡 Example:
Critic: “You’ll never succeed.”
Truth: “I’ve overcome challenges before. I can do it again.”
As Harivansh Rai Bachchan beautifully wrote:
“मन का हो तो अच्छा, न हो तो और भी अच्छा।”
(If things go your way, it’s good. If they don’t, it’s even better.)
Even setbacks are lessons. Even rejection pushes us forward.
From Critic to Coach
The inner critic doesn’t have to vanish — it can transform.
- Critic says: “Don’t mess up.”
- Coach says: “Prepare well and you’ll shine.”
- Critic says: “You’re not capable.”
- Coach says: “You’re learning and growing every day.”
With practice, the same voice that once held you back can begin to push you forward.
Daily Practices to Quiet the Critic
Here are small but powerful habits to rewire your inner voice:
- Affirmations → “I am enough. I am growing. I deserve success.”
- Visualization → See yourself succeeding at one small thing every day.
- Gratitude journaling → Write down 3 wins daily.
- Mirror talk → Look at yourself and say something kind.
- Surround yourself with encouragers → Limit voices that drain you.
And remember these words of Rahat Indori:
“कभी खुद पर हँस लो, कभी खुद को समझा लो।
ज़िन्दगी है जनाब, इसे जीना सिखा लो।”
(Sometimes laugh at yourself, sometimes console yourself. Life, my friend, is about learning how to live.)
Self-kindness is not a luxury. It’s survival.
Final Thought
Your critic is not you. It is just fear in your own voice.
And as Dushyant Kumar reminds us:
“कौन कहता है आसमान में छेद नहीं हो सकता,
एक पत्थर तो तबीयत से उछालो यारो।”
(Who says the sky can’t be pierced? Throw one stone with conviction, my friends.)
The next time your critic says, “You can’t,” remember: you can — and you will.
👉 If this resonates with you, share it with someone who battles self-doubt. And if you want to go deeper, listen to the full episode of The Power Within You on Spotify.
#ThePowerWithinYou #SelfGrowth #HindiPoetry #Motivation #InnerCritic