NPR

Feeling Insecure? 6 Tips To Quiet Your Inner Critic

Negative thinking can keep you from making social connections. Here's advice from psychologists about how to overcome the sneaky voice in your head that holds you back.
The negative voice inside your head can hold you back from making new friends

You have a voice inside your head. It runs constantly, providing live commentary about your life to the audience of your brain.

But it's not an objective reporter. It likes to act as critic, judge and jury — especially when it comes to social situations. You know that voice, right? The one that says, "They didn't text back; they must think I'm uncool/awkward."

Those negative thoughts can hold you back from making new friends, connecting with colleagues, or sharing your brilliant ideas in meetings. Especially for shy or introverted people,

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