- Internet trolls make comments to provoke others
- Harsh inner critics are negative internal narratives
- Ask them their purpose
Growing up in an abusive household, my harsh inner critic can keep up with the best of them. Building a social media presence, I am getting well acquainted with trolls.
I asked my therapist how to lighten my harsh inner critic. What she told me is what I was already doing with internet trolls: asking for a purpose.
When an internet troll does what they do, makes comments to get attention, I ask for their purpose:
It’s very effective. They will usually not respond or say they are “just joking”—who knows if they are or not? It doesn’t matter.
I just did the same thing with my harsh inner critic and the powerful feelings surrounding it immediately went away:
HARSH INNER CRITIC: “What if you fail and can’t pay bills?!”
ME: “What is your purpose?”
HIC: “To protect you and make sure you’re safe.”
M: “I am safe, just trying something new and it’s excitingly scary.”
H:
So when you encounter a troll or your harsh inner critic, ask for their/its purpose.
A harsh inner critic, while mean, is there to protect you. Assure it you are safe and it will dissipate.
Photo by Felicia Montenegro
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