Practice
Talking Back to the Inner Critic
Talking back to the inner critic.
Many neurodivergent people carry a harsh inner voice built from years of being corrected. That voice isn’t the truth about you — it’s an echo. You can practice answering it the way a kind friend would.
How to use it: read each row left to right. Write down what the critic says, where you first heard it, then a kinder reply.
Members can fill this in online and keep their answers in their Library. Come back and edit it any time. Or download the PDF to print.
The worksheet, as designed. The same content is written out below.
Example
- The critic says… “You’re so lazy.”
- Where I learned it: Teachers, report cards
- What a kind friend would say: “Starting is hard for my brain. I’m doing my best with a tough system.”
| The critic says… | Where I learned it | What a kind friend would say |
|---|---|---|
Give your critic a nameA silly name can shrink it down to size.
What is it trying to protect me from?Critics often mean well, even when they’re harsh.
03
A kinder sentence I’ll practice this week
A kinder sentence I’ll practice this week
04
Reflect
How does my body feel when I read the kind version?
For reflection and practice, not diagnosis. Bring it to your next session if you’d like to talk it through.