The Art of Letting Go

The notion of the inner critic is a well-known concept in psychology that pertains to the pessimistic voice that often exists within our minds. This voice evaluates, disapproves, and rebukes us for our perceived deficiencies and limitations.

● Patrick Gaudreau, a psychology professor at the University of Ottawa, introduced the concept of excellentism. It entails establishing lofty benchmarks for oneself, but not letting those standards become unrealistic or harmful to one's health. Instead of self-criticism when falling short, individuals can opt to embrace novel experiences, utilize innovative approaches to problem-solving, and learn from their errors as they persistently aim for excellence.

● Nonattachment is a technique of relinquishing the urge to manage, cling to, or possess things in life. It does not imply becoming disconnected or apathetic, but rather accepting that everything in life is transient and in a constant state of flux. By releasing attachment, indi

viduals can encounter greater independence and less distress.

● The expression conscious media consumption pertains to the practice of being attentive and purposeful about the media that individuals choose to consume and how they consume it. Stephanie Harrison suggests that this requires individuals to pay attention to both the content of what they consume and their manner of consumption.

Self-as-context encourages individuals to see themselves with an open mind, from different perspectives, and to understand that their sense of self is not fixed.

The principle of nonattachment is often misunderstood as a practice of detaching oneself from the world. In reality, the core meaning of nonattachment is to detach oneself from the idea that the world defines who we are. People define their own world, and in order to do so, they need to begin with understanding themselves. This can be achieved through practices such as nonattachment meditation or yoga, or even by simply taking time throughout the day to observe where external factors are influencing one’s definition of self. As people consciously release these external labels, their inner barriers will begin to dissipate and their true self will have the opportunity to shine through and flourish. It is through this practice of nonattachment that people can truly discover and embrace their authentic selves.

“If we fearfully cling

To what we have,

We will never be able to discover

Who we really are.”

By embracing imperfection and focusing on progress rather than perfection, they can begin to overcome their tendency toward perfectionism and enjoy the activity more fully.

Progress is more important than perfection.

celebrating small victories and learning from mistakes is essential for growth and self-improvement.

Finally, Jess reminds herself of what she truly needs by expressing herself. "What I really need is to feel supported and connected to others. I don't have to be afraid of failing or making mistakes. I'm worthy of love and acceptance just as I am."

She then expresses her reaction to the negative self-talk by saying something like, "Your critical voice is not helping me right now. It's preventing me from feeling confident and connected to others. I need you to stop talking to me this way."