Healing Your Inner Narrator
Recognizing Your Inner Voice: What It Says and How It Feels
Getting rid of the perfectionism in me has been nothing short of a work in progress—one I’m still managing today. Unfortunately, it doesn’t disappear with the push of a button, although I wish it did. Usually, the voice in my head swings either way, depending on the day.
Some days, I’m forgiving of myself and can see that I made a mistake and I’m human. On other days—when my faith feels disconnected and my mental health is struggling—that voice feels like my enemy. It can whisper, shout, and convince me that I’m failing at everything, even when I know logically I’m not.
When Did This Voice Become Particularly Harsh or Critical?
This narrator, if you will, became harsh even before my addiction and intensified during those long, difficult years. When I got sober, the voice softened—but it still rides a rollercoaster at times, testing my patience and resilience as I navigate recovery.
Three Things My Critical Inner Voice Tells Me Most Often
I am worthless.
I am stupid.
I am not good enough.
These thoughts can be crushing. On a logical level, I know they aren’t true—but emotionally, they still sting. They make me feel depressed, like maybe there’s some truth to them.
A Recent Moment When My Inner Voice Tried to Sabotage My Recovery or Faith
Sometimes, my mind creates scenarios that aren’t real—playing tricks on me, trying to undermine my sobriety and faith. I’ve come to think of these negative thoughts as a separate entity, one I need to challenge. Many of these thoughts have no evidence to support them. Yet, if I dwell on them, they begin to shape my reality.
Our thoughts truly structure our lives: they influence how we think of ourselves, how we interact with the world, and how we respond to challenges. When we repeat negative thoughts and assign them truth, they become beliefs—and our actions begin to reflect those beliefs, creating a feedback loop that shapes our reality.
I believe deeply in the law of attraction: like attracts like. That’s why I’ve learned to detach from the timeline, trust the process, and intentionally shift my thoughts toward faith, hope, and growth.
Strategies I Use to Retrain My Inner Narrator
Pause and observe: Notice a negative thought, label the emotion behind it, and step back.
Invite God’s perspective: Ask, “What truth do You see in this moment?” This transforms condemnation into gentle guidance.
Rewrite the thought: Turn self-criticism into curiosity or encouragement. For example, “Why am I feeling anxious?” instead of “I’m failing again.”
Mirror affirmations: Say a grace-filled truth aloud each day, like “I am becoming who God made me to be.”
Small actions matter: Shift focus from yourself to service, connection, or creation. Your actions feed the loop that shapes reality.
Reflection
Recovery isn’t just about changing habits; it’s about healing the voice that narrates your story.
My old voice may never completely disappear—but I’m learning to respond with awareness, faith, and compassion. Each day, I rewrite the story I tell myself—one thought, one breath, one action at a time.
