How is it that some people possess such a misguided sense of confidence that they feel free to say or do anything without a hint of fear or remorse? My inner critic is relentless, so harsh that I can hear every word, echoing constantly in my mind. It yells and screams at me with every action I take, tearing into my very soul. Every word I speak to another person is immediately met with my inner critic’s brutal judgment, painfully highlighting just how inadequate I am, even in the most basic conversations.

I attempt to explain how my mind never stops, and the relentless noise is always there… but more than that, it’s an unending conversation. It’s a torment that plagues me every single day, every moment. I can almost feel the words being spoken right beside me, whispering, “Why are you this way?”

Inner critic feeds on all my stress
Sabotaging all of my success
‘Cause what it can’t destroy, I can’t enjoy
Inner critic amplifies all my flaws
Inner critic only sees what I’m not
It belittles all the good that I bear
‘Til I don’t believe it’s there

It is truly painful to realize that there are things in my life that even the inner critic can’t take away, yet I find myself unable to truly enjoy them because I’m afraid they might be torn apart. When I do something well or make progress, I can’t help but wait in dread for myself to uncover the flaw. When I help someone, all I focus on is how I should have done more, how I could have made a greater difference. All the good within me is overshadowed by the negative screams echoing through the dark halls of my mind.

Inner critic’s never been this loud
I’ve tried everything to turn it down
But it don’t fight fair and it’s always there
Inner critic won’t let no one close
Makes me doubt the ones that care the most
‘Cause this parasite is the jealous type

The real power in these lyrics lies in how this relentless mental parasite erodes my relationships, sucking away every ounce of positivity others feel toward me. When I’m shown love or care, all I can focus on is the overwhelming fear that it’s just a cruel trick. I see how people smile and act like I’m doing well, but deep down, I can’t shake the bitter truth… that they’ll soon turn around and tear me apart, exposing every flaw that seems to spill from within me.

Some days, I struggle to tell what’s real anymore, as my inner monologue viciously shatters every ounce of hope and positivity I cling to.