For most of us our inner critic is the loudest voice in our head? The one that constantly whispers (or shouts) that you’re not doing enough, achieving enough, or being enough? You’re not alone. That voice can keep you stuck, second-guessing yourself, and feeling like no matter how much you accomplish, it’s never quite enough.
The truth is, you can turn down the volume on your inner critic. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being kinder to yourself, celebrating progress, and letting go of the patterns that keep you stuck. Imagine what could happen if you started cheering yourself on instead of tearing yourself down.
For 2025, my goal is to become my own cheerleader. I’m determined to break the generational patterns I’ve inherited and create a kinder, more supportive inner voice. Here are the five things I’ll be doing to make this happen. They’re simple, actionable, and exactly what I encourage my clients to use too. Let’s do this together!
1. Track Your Cycle 🌸
Just like flowers don’t bloom all year round, neither do we. There are times in the month when your energy and focus naturally dip, and that’s okay. Ignoring these rhythms only leads to frustration and burnout.
In 2025, I’ll be tracking my cycle and planning my work around my energy levels. During low-energy weeks, I’ll focus on journaling, meditating, and gentler tasks instead of pushing myself to do challenging or scary things. By listening to my body, I’ll avoid unnecessary self-criticism and give myself the grace I deserve.
Try this: Use a cycle-tracking app I use Stardust or a journal to note how you feel each day. Over time, you’ll notice patterns that help you understand when to rest and when to push forward.
Want to know more about cyclical living I have an amazing episode of the podcast HERE
2. Practice Self-Compassion 🌟
Self-compassion isn’t just about being kind to yourself when things go wrong; it’s about learning to treat yourself with the same patience and care you’d offer a friend. This has been a game-changer for me.
In 2024, I built a daily journaling habit thanks to a 100-day challenge. For 2025, I’m taking it further. I’ve set a daily reminder to pause and reflect, during which I’ll repeat these affirmations:
“I am doing my best, and that is enough.”
“It’s okay to make mistakes; I’m learning and growing.”
“I deserve kindness and patience, especially from myself.”
I’ll also write down one thing I’m proud of each day. This simple practice reminds me to focus on my efforts rather than my perceived shortcomings.
Try this: Set a phone reminder for a daily self-compassion check-in. Use it to repeat affirmations, reflect, or jot down something you’re proud of.
3. Celebrate Small Wins 🎉
One of the most powerful ways to quiet your inner critic is to focus on what you’ve achieved rather than what you haven’t. That’s why I’m starting a family wins jar in 2025.
Every evening, my family and I will write down something we accomplished that day, no matter how small. It could be finishing a project, making it through a tough moment, or simply trying our best. Once a month, we’ll sit together and go through all our wins. It’s a great way to reinforce positive thinking and celebrate progress.
Try this: Start your own wins jar, either solo or with your family. Seeing all your successes in one place will remind you how far you’ve come.
4. Reframe Negative Thoughts 🧰
Our inner critic often thrives on negativity, so learning to reframe those thoughts is essential. One of my biggest challenges has been dealing with my “upper limit problem”—when things are going well, my brain panics and finds something to worry about. (If this resonates, I highly recommend The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks.)
In 2025, I’m making it a daily practice to pause when my inner critic shows up and ask myself:
“Would I say this to a friend?”
Then, I’ll reframe the thought into something more supportive, like:
“This is a learning moment, not a failure.”
I’m also committing to being more vulnerable in my mastermind group. Sharing my thoughts and struggles with supportive people helps quiet the inner critic and amplifies my cheerleader.
Try this: The next time your inner critic speaks up, challenge it. Reframe the thought into something constructive and compassionate.
5. Limit Comparison 🔰
Comparison is the inner critic’s best friend. Social media, in particular, can make it all too easy to measure yourself against others and feel like you’re falling short. In 2025, I’m setting clear boundaries to protect my mental space.
My rules:
No social media before 9 AM.
Personal accounts (memes and housewives only!) after the kids are in bed.
If your feed is triggering, curate it. Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you, and don’t be afraid to mute or unfollow anything that doesn’t serve your mental health.
Try this: Set screen time limits or specific social media rules for yourself. Use the extra time to focus on things that genuinely bring you joy.
Cheer Yourself On in 2025 💛
Your inner cheerleader wants you to succeed. The trick is to turn her whisper into a shout and quiet the voice of your inner critic. By tracking your cycle, practicing self-compassion, celebrating small wins, reframing negative thoughts, and limiting comparison, you can create a kinder and more supportive inner voice.
What steps will you take to cheer yourself on in 2025? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on too!
Comments