🎉 $1,000 off Mindfulness Teacher Certification — annual sale ending soon

    Podcast episode

    Feeling Acceptance - Dealing With The Inner Critic (Day 4)

    February 14, 20265 minHosted by Sean Fargo

    Listen to this episode

    Mindfulness Exercises Podcast

    Enjoying the episode?

    Follow the show in your podcast app. If this conversation supports your practice, a rating or review helps more listeners find it.

    Apple Podcasts (opens in a new tab)Spotify (opens in a new tab)
    Share

    Show notes

    What if the question “Do people really like me?” is less about others and more about how we meet ourselves? On day four of our inner critic series, we turn toward acceptance and likability with a grounded, practical approach that blends mindfulness, body awareness, and compassionate realism. Rather than debating the critic on its terms, we slow down, listen to the stories that surface in social spaces, and feel their imprint in the body—tight jaws, tense shoulders, or a breath that never quite lands.

    We walk through a brief guided practice designed to help you contact safety and support in the present moment. Feet on the floor, attention in the body, we gently test phrases like “I am likable,” “I accept myself,” and “There are people who genuinely like me,” noticing what resonates and where the critic objects. You’ll learn to label the critic’s voice without fusing with it, shift focus from arguments to sensations, and use those signals as data for kinder action. Along the way, we explore common triggers—work dynamics, friendship circles, and family roles—and sketch simple ways to prepare your nervous system before you step into those rooms.

    By the end, acceptance becomes a trainable skill rather than a verdict from the crowd. We highlight how to gather balanced evidence of real connection, set intentions that align with your values, and carry this awareness throughout your day and week. If you’re ready to loosen the grip of self-doubt and show up with more ease and congruence, this session offers a calm, clear path forward. If this resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who could use it, and leave a review with one insight you’re taking into your next conversation.

    Transcript

    Show transcript· 2 min read

    Day Four: Acceptance Focus

    Speaker 1 · 0:00Welcome back. We're now on day four of dealing with the inner critic. I'm Sean Fargo.

    From Worthiness To Being Liked

    Speaker 1 · 0:07In the last two exercises, we've looked at the core identities of competency and worthiness. And the inner critic tends to feel that we're not competent or worthy.

    Naming The Critic’s Social Story

    Speaker 1 · 0:24And today I'd like to explore the core identity of feeling accepted or feeling liked. So the inner critic tends to say, who would like me? Or who would accept me? Or I'm not likable. Who would like me? Maybe people say they like me, maybe they hang out with me, maybe they pretend to laugh at my jokes, but deep down no one actually likes who I actually am.

    Noticing When Doubt Appears

    Speaker 1 · 1:00So it can be really helpful to bring mindfulness to the different kinds of situations that the inner critic arises in. Maybe the inner critic tends to surface socially when you're around your friends.

    Speaker 2 · 1:19Maybe it's at work with your colleagues. Maybe it's with family.

    Speaker 1 · 1:32So it's really helpful to pay attention to when the inner critic tends to harshly criticize yourself and how acceptable or likable you are.

    Guided Mindfulness Practice

    Speaker 1 · 1:52So I'd like to invite you to close your eyes or look downward as we do a brief mindfulness meditation as we bring our feet to the floor, sensing into gravity as we feel our weight on the chair or the ground.

    Speaker 2 · 2:42What does it feel like in the body to say the words I am likable? Are you able to say to yourself, I accept myself for who I am? Or there

    Feeling Into Likability

    Speaker 2 · 3:22are plenty of people who genuinely like me. What does the inner critic say about how likable I am? What does that feel like in the body?

    Speaker 1 · 3:57What are the sensations in the body as your inner critic tends to surface?

    Affirming Acceptance And Close

    Speaker 2 · 4:11And can you acknowledge that yes, I am an acceptable person. I accept myself. And I am a likable person. I like who I really am. So bringing this awareness throughout the day and throughout the week.

    Speaker 1 · 4:47And thank you for joining me today. I look forward to being with you again tomorrow for our next session on day five of dealing with the inner critic.

    Professional training

    Accredited mindfulness teacher certification

    Trusted by teachers in 100+ countries

    Structured training, CE credits for eligible pay-in-full registrants, and support for teaching without self-doubt — after you have explored this episode.

    Explore certification

    More episodes

    Browse all