The Inner Critic: What It Is and How to Recognize It

The inner critic is present in almost everyone. Dr. Saulitis describes it as an inner voice that is set to negative by default — which is precisely why it is so hard to notice and stop.

What the inner critic is

It is not simply "being hard on yourself." It is a toxic relationship with yourself that runs in the background: quietly eroding confidence, planting doubt, and ultimately becoming the primary source of anxiety. Around 80% of its "statements" are directed against you — working in the negative.

How it shows up

The inner critic does not shout — it creeps in. It starts with quiet questions: *Am I doing the right thing? Will I manage in time?* — and little by little, this infection grows. It becomes especially active when a person is tired: fatigue weakens the nervous system, makes it more suggestible, and at that point critical thoughts break through any defence.

Why it is so hard to recognise

The inner critic is like being inside a dream: while you are in it, there is no first reference point, no second, no third — nothing to push off from. The blow lands, but the person does not track what came before it — how the thought hit the mark, because there was already somewhere in the mind for it to land. This is not simply a bad mood; it is a state in which reality is, quite literally, washed away.

The first step toward recognition

Noticing the critic already means stepping out of autopilot. Dr. Saulitis emphasises the importance of learning to track the moment of impact — when a thought "hits the mark" — and not buying into the situation. The ability to see the critic from the outside, rather than from within it, is the starting point.