33: How to Own Your Shit and Connect With Your Inner Critic with Danielle Gertner
How to Own Your Shit and Connect with Your Inner Critic: A Path to Personal Empowerment
We all have that inner voice—the one that criticizes, judges, and doubts us when we step into our power. It’s easy to see it as an enemy, something to silence or suppress. But what if I told you that your inner critic is an essential part of your growth? That embracing and understanding it could lead to incredible breakthroughs in your personal and professional life?
In Episode 33 of Broads Podcast, I unpacked this topic with Danielle Gertner, a self-mastery mentor and the creator of the Own Your Shit™️ method. We explored how to stop avoiding or resenting that inner voice, and instead, how to use it as a tool for transformation. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt or felt like you're not enough, this episode is for you.
In this blog post, I’ll break down the key takeaways from the episode and show you how owning your shit—embracing your inner critic—can help you step into your most empowered, authentic self.
Understanding Your Inner Critic: The First Step Toward Empowerment
When we hear our inner critic, it’s easy to think, “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never be able to do this.” This voice often reflects our fears, insecurities, and past experiences. But it’s important to remember that voice doesn’t define us, and it isn’t always accurate. In fact, it’s often the product of societal expectations, old narratives, and limiting beliefs that no longer serve us.
Danielle shared a powerful insight in the episode: our inner critic is often the loudest when we’re about to do something big. Whether it’s starting a new project, making a career change, or putting ourselves out there, the inner critic’s job is to keep us small and safe. But the truth is, it’s only by facing those fears head-on that we grow and evolve.
The Power of Owning Your Shit
So, how do we face that voice instead of running from it? The answer lies in owning our shit. Danielle's Own Your Shit™️ method is all about taking responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and actions without shame or guilt. It’s about embracing every part of ourselves, especially the parts we want to hide, and using them to our advantage.
Key Steps to Owning Your Shit:
Acknowledge Your Inner Critic
Instead of pushing away the negative thoughts, acknowledge them. Recognize that the inner critic isn’t here to hurt you—it’s trying to protect you from fear, rejection, and failure. By simply acknowledging its presence, you disarm its power over you.Reframe the Narrative
After acknowledging the inner critic, you have the opportunity to reframe the narrative. Ask yourself: "Is this voice truly mine? Is it telling me something real or is it rooted in fear?" For example, if your inner critic says, “You’re not good enough to lead,” you can reframe it to, “I may not have all the answers yet, but I am capable of learning and growing into this role.”Turn Your Fear into Fuel
Rather than allowing fear to paralyze you, use it as motivation to act. The fear you feel is often a sign that you're on the right path. Embrace the discomfort and move forward with the belief that every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your desired outcome.Take Responsibility Without Shame
Owning your shit means taking full responsibility for your life, actions, and choices. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about acknowledging where you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go. Let go of the shame and judgment you’ve placed on yourself, and replace it with self-compassion and empowerment.
The Benefits of Embracing Your Inner Critic
When you start owning your shit and connecting with your inner critic, something incredible happens: you start to reclaim your power. Here’s why this shift is so transformative:
1. Empowerment Through Clarity
By acknowledging and reframing your inner critic’s narrative, you begin to see the truth of who you are. You stop reacting from a place of fear and start acting from a place of clarity and intention. This leads to empowered decision-making and greater confidence in yourself and your abilities.
2. Greater Self-Awareness
Owning your shit is a journey of self-awareness. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your thoughts, triggers, and limiting beliefs. This self-awareness will enable you to make conscious choices, rather than being at the mercy of your automatic responses and reactions.
3. Building Resilience
The more you face your inner critic head-on, the more resilient you become. Every time you challenge the voice of doubt, you strengthen your mental and emotional muscles. Over time, this will help you navigate challenges with greater ease and confidence.
Own Your Shit and Live Boldly
At the heart of the Own Your Shit™️ method is a powerful truth: you are the author of your own story. The inner critic will always be there, but it doesn’t have to control your narrative. When you learn to embrace it, reframe it, and use it to fuel your growth, you’ll step into your most empowered, authentic self.
Now, I want to hear from you:
What’s one limiting belief or inner critic voice that you’re ready to confront and reframe? Share it in the comments below, and let’s support each other on this journey of owning our shit and living boldly.
By embracing your inner critic, reframing your fears, and owning your shit, you’ll unlock a new level of personal growth and empowerment. Let’s make this a conversation—how can you begin to take control of your inner narrative today? The choice is yours.
Find more from Tara:
Website: https://www.taralaferrara.com/
Instagram: @taralaferrara @broads.podcast @broads.app
Youtube: Tara LaFerrara
Thank you to our sponsors:
Broads: Visit Broads.app and enter code PODCAST for 20% off your first month.
Cronometer: Visit cronometer.com for 15% off the Premium subscription.
