That voice in your head. The one that wakes you up at 3 AM to itemise your failures. The one that whispers you're "lazy" if you take a break, or "stupid" if you make a mistake. You call it your conscience. You might even believe it’s helping you—driving you towards success, preventing you from getting complacent.

I call it your Inner Critic, and frankly, it’s not your friend. It’s an unhelpful, aggressive saboteur rooted in your past. The toxic noise it generates is built almost entirely on the word "should."

"I should have worked harder." "I should be further along by now." "I should never let my family down."

If you’re struggling with self-esteem, anxiety, or burnout, it’s time to stop listening to this tyrannical voice and understand where it came from and why it lies to you.

Negative self-talk and the harsh inner critic can profoundly impact our lives, shaping our beliefs and limiting our potential. By understanding their origins and learning to challenge and reframe these destructive thoughts, we can foster a more compassionate and realistic self-view. While self-help strategies are valuable, the guidance of a qualified therapist can be instrumental in achieving lasting change and a better quality of life.