Here’s how to quiet that inner critic

Happiness is hard if you’re constantly criticising yourself.

Happiness doesn’t necessarily require constant praise, but regular self-defeating thoughts can really undermine positive emotions and a positive life.

So if you ever put yourself down, and we all do at times, here’s how you can quiet that unhelpful voice…

via WNYC

Each week this month, The Takeaway is partnering with the PRI podcast “The Science of Happiness” to look at ways to live a more joyful life. The methods come from UC Berkeley, where the Greater Good Science Center is developing research-based exercises that promote happiness, resilience, kindness, and connection.

Dacher Keltner is professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, director of Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and the host of “The Science of Happiness.” This week, Professor Keltner talks about the “Self-Compassionate Letter” as a practice for accepting parts of yourself that you dislike.

Here’s the test that you can do to quiet your inner critic.

TIME REQUIRED

15 minutes. Try practicing once a week, or at least once per month.

HOW TO DO IT

First, identify something about yourself that makes you feel ashamed, insecure, or not good enough. It could be something related to your personality, behavior, abilities, relationships, or any other part of your life.

Once you identify something, write it down and describe how it makes you feel. Sad? Embarrassed? Angry? Try to be as honest as possible, keeping in mind that no one but you will see what you write.

The next step is to write a letter to yourself expressing compassion, understanding, and acceptance for the part of yourself that you dislike.

As you write, follow these guidelines…

…keep reading (and listening to) the full & original article HERE