25 Journal Prompts for Your Inner Critic

The holidays can be a rough time of year for giving yourself grace and patience. This can be especially true if you have a hard time taking a break from your creative endeavors. But remember, you are not a machine and are programmed for rest. I have compiled my top 25 journal prompts for your inner critic so you can weather any negativity your inner critic may feed you.

Before you can benefit from the journal prompts, you first need to identify the inner critic specific to you. The following is a list of possible inner critic messages that your inner thoughts are focusing on. Inner critic messages at the core are fears that we are not valuable enough. My goal is to help you challenge these inner critic lies and focus on the true value you already have.

To learn more about your inner critic’s origins, check out the post, How the Inner Critic is Formed.

Once you have identified your inner critic from the examples below, take time each day to write a sentence or two about where you are at with this statement. Then practice writing out and speaking out the corresponding affirmation. You will notice a change over a week’s time.

BONUS! Inner Critic Messages specific to Holiday Stress

1. I have to have a perfectly ordered/neat/tidy house.
2. I must keep quiet if someone does or says something I am uncomfortable with.
3. Spending beyond my means is key to getting everyone a gift
4. I have to prepare everyone’s favorite food.
5. I have to maintain a picture perfect image on social media.
6. My mood needs to be joyful.

Inner Critic Messages for Creatives

1. I am not talented enough
2. My art practice is a waste of time
3. I fear others will criticize my dreams
4. My dream is ridiculous
5. I cannot ask for time to practice my art
6. I am not organized enough to follow through
7. It would be unfair of me to focus on my art when there are so many other important concerns
8. I will be rejected
9. I am afraid of failure
10. My work has to be perfect before I share it
11. Success scares me.
12. I am not organized enough to follow through
13. I am not good enough
14. Why can’t you be as good as __________?
15. How come I am not farther along?
16. I’m not experienced enough
17. There is no room for mistakes
18. There are so many artists better than me
19. Someone else could do what I do but better
20. Why should I bother trying?
21. My art practice is a waste of time
22. My social media accounts are not as polished/curated as they should be
23. Who am I to call myself an artist?
24. I didn’t go to school for this
25. What is someone finds out how little training I really have?

As a creative, do you struggle with confidence?

Even though I share a lot of freebies and tutorials, I held back for years sharing my creations because I feared failure. As creatives, you and I can be held back due to negative thinking. It might look like comparing your ability to others or not having the confidence to pursue your creative talent or putting your creations out into the world. 

Is that you? Have you ever found it difficult to cope with imposter syndrome, your inner critic, fear of failure, perfectionistic tendencies, and being hesitant to share your work? 

If your answer is yes, I have a Free resource for you. It’s just a click away! 

The idea behind journal affirmations is countering the negative messages. You infuse your mind with value when you practice speaking and writing out affirmations. It is important to have a record of where you have been as it shows you that you can grow and become more of the creative you want to be. Affirmations need to be short, concise, “I” statements in the present tense that target the lie that you wan to change.

Each section below corresponds directly to the inner critic statements above.

Holiday Affirmations

1. My house if just fine the way it is, my guests are guests. They will appreciate my home as it is. If they do not, then that is their problem.
2. If I am uncomfortable with something someone says, I have the right to voice my opinion.
3. Remembering what is valuable at this time of year is key. Being intentional with my values is the most important.
4. I will prepare what I enjoy making, as I do not need added stress.
5. I need to be authentic on social media as that is what is most important. It is okay to take a break from social media also.
6. I am allowed to experience any emotion as it comes. I am free to share or free not to share how I feel with others. There is no shame in not feeling “joyful”.

Journal Affirmations for Inner Critic

1. I have enough talent for where I am now and I will continue to grow
2. My art/creative practice represents who I am and what I want to create therefore it is not a waste of time.
3. My dreams are no ones business but mine.
4. The dream I have comes from a place of calling and purpose.
5. The time I spend on my art practice is necessary as it is my passion.
6. I am organized and I will continue and finish what I have started.
7. My art is equally important to the other areas of my life. What I feed grows.
8. I may face rejection but it will not keep me from my dream.
9. Failure is a natural part of the creative process and I can learn a great deal from it.
10. My work is valuable in all its stages. It is valuable to share my process and what I have to offer right now.
11. My work will never be perfect so it is important to share what I deem valuable.
12. Success can feel scary and unknown but you are worth having success.

Affirmations for Perfectionistic Tendencies & Imposter Syndrome

1. I am human therefore I am good enough and so is my work.
2. I do not need to compare myself to anyone as my work is unique to me.
3. Where I am right now is where I need to be and I will continue to grow.
4. I can learn more to gain experience that will influence my creative practice.
5. Mistakes are part of learning and I can grow from my mistakes.
6. Comparison will only rob me of joy and halt my process.
7. I am unique and no one can do exactly what I do.
8. I need to try because my work is valuable and worthy and so am I.
9. If I practice my art, it means it has value and worth and is not a waste of time.
10. I will choose to be real and authentic on social media as that is what matters most.
11. No one will give me permission to call myself an artist, that is for me to do for myself.
12. Learning doesn’t just happen in school, it happens in the classroom of life.
13. Training comes in all forms. It is important that I get the training I deem important.

To get started on how to change your inner critic messages into AFFIRMATIONS grab your FREE Workbook – “How to Make Over Your Inner Critic: Recognize Fear & Step Into Confidence”.

I hope you have enjoyed what you have read and are motivated to put some of these affirmations into practice. If you like what you have read, please share the love with a pin or comment. Thank you!

Blessings,

Darlene