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> feeding my anger and fear until they are no longer angry gods but instead, benevolent beings who help me to contextualize my reality I’ve been reading “Body
by creakingstairs 4y ago
> feeding my anger and fear until they are no longer angry gods but instead, benevolent beings who help me to contextualize my reality
I’ve been reading “Body keeps the score”, and one of the concepts that came up is pretty much this.
Instead of rejecting the self that is “bad” (“I’m always critical and I hate it”), objectively acknowledge that part of self(“There is a part of me that is a critic”). Then, accept/thank that part has been doing that for a reason (“My critical self is trying to stop me from getting hurt”).
Just like you, I’ve found it helpful to looking inward and “thanking” them for protecting me. But gently telling them that it’s not needed anymore.
- rrishi 4y agoThat feels like a really useful strategy. Thanks for describing it so well. My inner critic tends to get pretty brutal often.
- josh2600 4y agoMy father told me that you should never tear yourself down, there are plenty of other people to do that for you. My advice is to listen to the parts of the critic that serve to improve your ability to heal the world (including yourself) and discard much of the rest.
- TheBozzCL 4y agoSpoilers for the game Celeste below: This has a strong parallel with an important part of the plot. Over the course of trying to climb the mountain the game is named after, you constantly run into your “dark self” and struggle against it. It insults you and tries to get you to stop give up and go home. At first you run from it, but then you start fighting it until you actually chase it. Near the end, you have a moment where you learn the “dark self” cares about you deeply and is trying to protect you, albeit in a toxic way. Once you reconcile and work together, letting go of the fear, you finally reach the summit.