THe Underminer (Part 4: 7 Types of inner critic)
Hello Friendly Reader,
This week I’m getting back to the 7 Types of Inner Critics. If you’re just beginning this series with me, go back to the 7 Types of Inner Critics for an overview of each one. Or click on one of these previous posts about the inner critic you are most interested in: The Guilt Tripper or The Perfectionist.
This week we’re confronting the Underminer!
Ugh, I know this critic so well, it’s been a lifelong companion.
The underminer:
makes direct attacks on your self-worth
it keeps you hidden and small
it convinces you to not put yourself in a position to be rejected
it uses self-doubt as a way to keep you from moving forward
it cuts down your self-esteem in an effort to protect you from getting hurt
It sounds like:
“You can try, but you’ll fail.”
“You don’t know as much as ____ you’ll never be successful.”
“If you have to do it I guess you can, but nobody will care that you did it.”
“Your voice isn’t important, your opinion doesn’t matter, you don’t matter.”
I spent decades fighting against this voice. Once I could convince myself I matter enough to write the book, the blog, create the program, and basically follow my dreams then the voice would find a new way. It would say, “there’s no way anyone will read it and if they do, they won’t enjoy it.”
This voice and all the inner critic voices are inner bullies that rob people from enjoying their lives and living into their full potential. If you are struggling with these inner voices, know that you aren’t alone. If you’d like a short supportive meditation you can listen to right now, go to my substack and click on the audio at the top of the page at 5 minutes and 5 seconds. It’s free and will help get your mind into a more supportive place.
I still struggle with this voice, but lately I am able to focus more on the people who do read my books and my blog. I focus on their words. Words of encouragement that say:
The author shares her incredible journey to healing in a way that is vulnerable, honest, and relatable in so many ways. Danielle moved mountains to heal and I was so inspired by reading her book. Her format is clear and easy to read with many accompanied resources and excerpts. The illustrations of exercises makes the suggestions easy to follow and incorporate into daily life. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking to be inspired- not just if you are suffering from head or neck pain. ~Rose Hamilton
I suffer from neck pain and wondered how best to treat it. Mallett expertly explains the body parts including nerves, bones and spine that are likely the source of the pain. With this understanding, she provides the reader with 4 steps to heal head and neck pain in addition to providing feel-good relief tips. For me, the most helpful parts of the book were her drawings illustrating how to complete an exercise along with easy-to-understand directions. Mallett focuses on core exercises that are essential to maintaining the entire muscular system. In short ,this book gives you powerful tools necessary to relieve and/or eliminate head and neck pain for life.
I recommend this book for everyone interested in exploring the many options and resources available for healing head and neck pain … and much, much more! ~Avodoc
I've personally trained with Danielle for a few years now. She knows her stuff. I'm stronger, more flexible, and have greater awareness of my body throughout my life. In addition, her story lends credence to the techniques she learned to free herself from a decade of head and neck pain. If you're in a similar situation, try this book and see if learning from Danielle can help you change like she has done for me! ~Sam Tidwell
These are all reviews for my newest book, Empowered Choices: A Guide to Healing Head & Neck Pain. When I first started that book I was faced with the usual inner critics, but after two decades of fighting against the voices I learned to let them quietly talk amongst themselves. Sure, they were there, but they weren’t on a loud speaker.
I focused on writing a book to help people heal head and neck pain. I shared all of the resources I’d found over two decades. I poured in my love and creativity. I found someone to illustrate the book and I believed one day it would find it’s way to the people who need it.
If you know someone who is struggling with head & neck pain, please share this resourceful book with them.
I hope you have a peaceful and blessed day.
Love Always,
Danielle Mallett
