“The Judge will not automatically disappear when you do this. (At least, mine doesn’t.) It will regroup and come back with a revised case. But each time you put it on the stand and ask it to show its evidence, it loses power, gets a little smaller and less convincing.” This part keeps everything real, and the judge always persists.
I love externilising the thoughts and feelings. That will help us look at it more clearly and let go of guilt that might be associated in dealing with some of the issues brought up.
I really loved this. There’s something about the way you describe the Judge that feels uncomfortably accurate—in the best way.
The idea that it sounds helpful while quietly building the worst version of the story really stayed with me. Once you named it, I could recognize that voice so easily, especially how it disguises itself as "just being realistic."
I also loved the idea of the "left column" running quietly underneath everything else. That's one of those images I'll keep coming back to because it captures something that's often happening beneath the surface without us even noticing.
It’s sneaky, isn’t it? The thing that we think is helping us the most is causing quite a lot of mental anguish! For me, just recognizing that in the moment (or even after the moment) has been huge for personal growth.
This has also been a huge learning experience with our neurodivergent friends and family. Many of them seem to have judges on hyperdrive.
Your point about neurodivergent individuals having that “judge on hyperdrive” is interesting. I’ve seen something similar, where the intensity of that internal voice can be quite strong—but also how much difference it makes when it’s named and understood rather than just experienced. There’s something hopeful in that.
“The Judge will not automatically disappear when you do this. (At least, mine doesn’t.) It will regroup and come back with a revised case. But each time you put it on the stand and ask it to show its evidence, it loses power, gets a little smaller and less convincing.” This part keeps everything real, and the judge always persists.
My goal is to learn the impact of the Judge's voice in my life, to recognize his influence and choose to go another way.
I love externilising the thoughts and feelings. That will help us look at it more clearly and let go of guilt that might be associated in dealing with some of the issues brought up.
I really loved this. There’s something about the way you describe the Judge that feels uncomfortably accurate—in the best way.
The idea that it sounds helpful while quietly building the worst version of the story really stayed with me. Once you named it, I could recognize that voice so easily, especially how it disguises itself as "just being realistic."
I also loved the idea of the "left column" running quietly underneath everything else. That's one of those images I'll keep coming back to because it captures something that's often happening beneath the surface without us even noticing.
It’s sneaky, isn’t it? The thing that we think is helping us the most is causing quite a lot of mental anguish! For me, just recognizing that in the moment (or even after the moment) has been huge for personal growth.
This has also been a huge learning experience with our neurodivergent friends and family. Many of them seem to have judges on hyperdrive.
Your point about neurodivergent individuals having that “judge on hyperdrive” is interesting. I’ve seen something similar, where the intensity of that internal voice can be quite strong—but also how much difference it makes when it’s named and understood rather than just experienced. There’s something hopeful in that.
Exactly. Understanding what is happening helps to find a way through it.