What if the voice in your head telling you that you need to do more, be better, or try harder isn’t actually helping you grow?In this episode, I’m joined by Mariana Durante for a vulnerable conversation about the inner critic, self-criticism, shame, and learning how to build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.We unpack what the inner critic actually sounds like in everyday life — and how easily self-criticism can disguise itself as ambition, high standards, self-awareness, or simply “wanting to be better.”We also dive into what happens when you spend years feeling like you’re never quite good enough, how the way you speak to yourself can influence your relationships and what you tolerate from other people, and what you may miss out on when so much of your life is spent trying to prove your worth.Mariana opens up about her own relationship with her inner critic, what it looked like at its worst, what she’s had to learn to forgive herself for, and what changed when she began developing a healthier relationship with herself.We also talk about:How to recognize when your inner critic is running the showThe difference between healthy ambition and self-criticismWhy being hard on yourself doesn’t necessarily help you become betterHow years of self-criticism can shape the way you see yourselfHow your relationship with yourself impacts your relationships with othersWhat to do when you find yourself in a shame spiralHow to practice self-compassion when you don’t believe the kind things you’re telling yourself yetHow to work WITH your inner critic instead of letting it control youWhat a healthy inner voice actually sounds likeHow to stop making decisions from “I’m not enough”Where to begin if you’re exhausted from constantly criticizing yourselfIf you’ve spent years feeling like you need to fix yourself, prove yourself, or become a better version of yourself before you’re finally allowed to feel good enough, this conversation is for you.Because healing isn’t just about changing the way you think about yourself, it’s about changing the relationship you have with the person you spend every single day with: you.If anxiety or anxious attachment keeps showing up in your relationships, even when love is there, your body may still be living in the past. I am an anxious attachment specialist & trauma informed somatic coach who helps people heal their anxious attachment using somatic healing & nervous system regulation.I have 4 spots open for 1:1 somatic support for people who are ready to reduce their anxiety/anxious attachment patterns. Somatic work helps your nervous system release old survival patterns that were formed before you had words, patterns like fear of abandonment, constant scanning, or feeling like you have to hold everything together to stay loved.When your body feels safe, connection no longer feels like something you have to earn.Book your free discovery call here to see if we’re a good fit to work together: https://calendly.com/freedomwithvalerie/discovery-callConnect with Valerie on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithval/

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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