Today’s thoughtnote is about acknowledging the questions we ask ourselves every day. Probably, the most prominent one is, “yo, what are you doing?” each time we explore new projects, hobbies, activities or even career paths. So, where does this question come from? What is the need for this question - for you to feel ‘okay’?

You may probably answer, “nah, it’s just imagination” which actually may not be true. How does that imagination create such huge realities upon us, causing ourselves to be so cautious, timid or afraid to take leaps of faith?(line break) Now, ask yourself, when did you first hear this question? From your friends, family, spouse, parents or teachers? Look into it deeply without amplifying or attaching emotions. Now that you have seen the scenario clearly in your mind, acknowledge it by saying, “thanks for caring about me, and wanting me to be careful,” and with another natural exhalation, let go of the scenario.

You may be thinking, “that’s it?” Well, in today’s society, almost everyone has an inner critic voice - it can be a coach critic, or just a purely harsh critic. Coach critique means to motivate in such extreme verbs such as, “must” or “should” or “never” whereas the latter involves a lot of labelling such as, “stupid” or “annoying” or “useless”. The key here is to see how this critic voice helps - whether it helps in a short-term or long-term nature. (Line break)Of course, your productivity would increase significantly if you used your inner-critic voice as a short-term solution, but what about long-term? Yes, that’s right - more mental health issues start coming in as you think that the critique voice is the absolute truth - which it isn’t - it’s a voice, an opinion, that can be changed from time to time.

You may process this in therapy if it significantly impacts your daily life activities and at the same time, try this out ! Give the critic a name, colour, shape, sensation or temperature - this is called physicalizing by removing ourselves from the 1st perspective and cultivating a neutral stance. Then, say thank you to the mind or the name you have given each time it appears. Notice the way you talk to yourself this way. Yes, the pain is there, but the difference is, the intensity decreases because we know that we are not our critic voice. We are a full form of human, unique and having strengths too. For example, if your critic voice is Mr Shane and is a warm, white circle, is Mr Shane you? Surely, the answer is no because for starters, your name is not Mr Shane and you are not built in a circular shape!

See here? Slowly step by step, you are able to do this. We encourage you to do it together with your therapist for more support and consistency. The key here is not to push away , just embrace with flexibility. Remember your uniqueness and embrace life. You are enough with or without achievements, trophies, titles, talents or skills - because you are humane.