21 Comments
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Soulfully, K's avatar

So good! As an introvert myself this speaks to me. I have a chorus of vendors in my head narrating outdated storylines. This melodic noise has kept me in hiding under poor self-reverence for far too long. As I am rising from the ashes of feeling undeserving it’s great to know I am not alone. Thank you for sharing this. You have a friend that follows your work and admire you for what you’ve accomplished.

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

I wonder if introverts are more prone to this because we spend so much time in our heads.

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Angela Hooks, PhD's avatar

I’m loving all of this conversation! Right here for squashing the inner critic and marveling at my accomplishments. And, yes, I agree staying in our head as introverts increases the noise of not doing enough.

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

We are in our heads criticizing ourselves for not doing enough while we are actually doing things.

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Sandra's avatar

We do a lot

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Amanda G's avatar

“I need another friend: an inner cheerleader who affirms my enoughness”

Yes! I resonate so much with this post. Thank you for naming what so many of us experience and also giving us a way to work through it. I am learning how to be my own cheerleader too.

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ivydt73's avatar

ding ding ding!

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Kris P.'s avatar

Here's to new inner friends for all of us!

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

🥂

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Andrea Stoeckel's avatar

" remembered again for the first time that I am a marvel. My inner critic almost made me forget that"

Those inner critics are the worst. Especially if we have chronic issues. Keep on keepin' on

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Marc Typo's avatar

This resonated so much for me. I need this inner friend - like now.

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Juanita Butler's avatar

This is so good. My inner critic screams at me daily and often blinds me from my daily achievements.

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

And sometimes it really is incredible what we do in one day

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Tami Rosin's avatar

I truly appreciate the beautiful way you express your confidence, Black Woman. You inspire this White woman. 💛

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

Thank you!

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Jeri McFadden's avatar

You are a marvel, without doubt! Thank you for writing this post. Will be locating your books at my local library so I can write reviews.

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

Thank you! Asking your library to carry books is one of the best ways that you can support an author.

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Allison's avatar

I was introduced to your work in a seminary pastoral care class about 4 years ago when we read I Bring the Voices of my People. Thank you for all your have taught me. I am new to this space. I was just talking last week with my spiritual director about my inner critic. This piece of writing is so helpful.

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Rebecca's avatar

Reviewed Sacred Self-Care on Goodreads and Storygraph. I absolutely love your writing here and in your book and am going to go read your other books while waiting for your new one. This is not to pressure you, because I process non-fiction very slowly, but to let you know that I DO think highly of your writing genius. I too have an inner critic that I've been learning to squash as a mother of young children, and I really love the idea of cultivating and inner cheerleader. Thank you for all that you do!

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Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes's avatar

Thank you! This means a lot to me!

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KayeJaye's avatar

Congrats on all you experienced and the good feelings you generated. There’s more where that came from!

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