4 Ways to Soothe Your Inner Art Critic

Whenever I show someone a film I’ve acted in, I try very hard not to melt in a puddle of criticism. I must resist the compulsion to say, “I know that pause was unnatural, I know I said that line weird, I shouldn’t have smiled in that one scene, we both know I could have done better.”  

Okay, sometimes I really do spit this out. And sometimes, this monologue is in my head for days. 

I know I’m not the only actor who feels this way. And I know that most of the ‘flaws’ I see are invisible to everyone else. I know my art is valuable. However, repeating these truths won’t always make me feel better. 

So, I’ve had to find more reliable ways to navigate these rough waters. If you’re in the same boat as me, here are 4 ways to soothe your inner art critic. 

1. Listen to It

2. Thank It

3. Write It Out

4. Let It Be

1. Listen to It

I like to imagine my inner critic as a little entity with its own thoughts, feelings, and anxieties. It cares about my well being and art. The problem is that it’s a bad communicator that really wants to be heard.

So, I listen to it. Sometimes it spouts nonsense that’s hard to hear. But I try to remember that this well-intentioned inner art critic is panicking and trying its best to help me survive, so it probably doesn’t mean everything it’s saying right now. 

Occasionally, though, it really does have something valuable to say. And that’s the moment I’m very glad I listened. And the inner critic feels heard, too, and calms down a bit. 

2. Thank It

Once I’ve listened to everything my inner critic needs to say, I sincerely thank it for any valuable insight it shared. I use this opportunity to remind the inner critic that we’re on the same team with a common goal towards artistic growth. 

Ultimately, I try to address my inner critic as a detail-oriented sidekick rather than a burden. I want us to collaborate, not fight. This makes my inner art critic feel like it’s doing its job, and I avoid mental anguish. 

3. Write It Out

On particularly challenging days, the above two tips (listening and thanking) don’t help me calm down. It’s as if my inner critic doesn’t believe I received the message–– it just harps, and harps, and harps. 

When it gets to this point, I need to expel it from my body. So, I write down (by hand) everything the inner critic wants to tell me. By putting the thoughts on paper, I’m able to process the feedback in a more tangible manner, which helps soothe my anxious inner critic. Writing acts as a reassuring gesture that I am listening to and hearing whatever this inner art critic needs to get off its chest. 

Again, I don’t agree with everything it says. However, even feedback I don’t agree with can still be a learning opportunity. 

4. Let It Be

Attempting to silence or erase my inner critic is not good for me. Some people can easily switch off negative thoughts, but my brain cannot do that very well.  

So, just as I would comfort an angry child, I let my inner critic know it’s okay to be angry. I tell my inner critic that I’m not going to punish or judge it for being upset. I say, if you’re having a really bad day, then you’re having a bad day. That’s okay. 

And finally, I let it know that I will always be here for it, just like it’s always been there for me. 

And somehow, we reach stillness. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re battling a tough inner art critic that seems to suck the joy out of your craft, I hope my experience helps a little. Approaching your inner critic with empathy may help to soothe its worries and fears. It might slow down your heart rate a little, too. 

It’s okay to make mistakes with your art. It’s okay when your art doesn’t feel extraordinary. And it’s okay to treat yourself with kindness even when your inner critic is convinced you underperformed. xoxo