Letter to My Inner Critic

Dear Inner Critic,

You have been with me for many years and have played a key role in saving me from a few embarrassing situations. While I appreciate the nice things you have done for me, I know that I deserve better. One thing I have learned in recent years is that my writing style is perfectly acceptable: it’s great, even. Sure, people have said that my writing is incorrect because they cannot follow my train of thought or do not understand the way I word my thoughts. However, my writing does not need major revisions that completely change the way it sounds and reads.

I know you mean well, but you have pushed me away from opportunities that could have been absolutely amazing. For example, when I wanted to keep a journal, you told me that my thoughts could not possibly be translated onto paper and scared me into not writing. You have also said that I will never be the best at writing because my work will never be picked first. Now that I have experienced college classes, I have learned that you were wrong. My writing has been praised and read in front of the class as a good example. Teachers and classmates alike have enjoyed the way I describe scenes and explain my train of thought.

Do not take this letter to mean that I do not want to hear from you ever again. I just think that we need some time apart. I also think that we should not grow as close as we have been. Our relationship needs to be demoted to “acquaintances.” We can exchange pleasantries when our paths cross, but I will no longer seek out your opinion first.

Sincerely,

Sara Quiring