
The Inner Critic Spiral
Learn how the inner critic forms and how to soften it.
When the voice turns on you, it often sounds familiar, as if it has always been there.
Words rise quickly, sharp and certain, pointing inward.
They don’t arrive as questions, only conclusions.
Notice how the body reacts before the meaning settles.
This is not truth announcing itself, but a pattern activating.
Recognition does not require agreement.
Learn to recognize inner attacks with DojoWell.
Explore DojowellArticles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
In the model, a self-attacking voice is a Threat Loop directed inward. When the Status & Control system feels it is failing to meet a perceived standard, it generates "attack signals" to force a change in behavior. Recognizing this as a structural response—rather than a literal truth—allows you to observe the "attack" without identifying with it, preventing the nervous system from entering a state of total defense.
You don't "stop" it; you "re-classify" it. When the voice turns on you, name it: "The Status system is currently using an attack signal." By treating the voice as a mechanical data point from a specific behavioral system, you reduce its authority. This structural distance prevents the Narrative system from weaving the attack into your identity, allowing the signal to peak and fade naturally.