That quiet voice that says “you should be doing better” or “why can’t you handle this?” can slowly wear us down.
Psychologists call this the inner critic and research shows that practising self-compassion instead can reduce stress, boost resilience, and even improve motivation.
Self-compassion isn’t about ignoring mistakes; it’s about treating yourself with the same patience and understanding you’d offer a friend.
Sometimes, counselling helps you recognise that voice and learn how to soften it.