Take a Hike (Inner Critic Edition)

“Take a hike.”

It’s a phrase usually said with frustration, a way of telling someone to back off or give you space. But what if we borrowed it for something a little gentler?

What if we said it to the voice inside us that never quite lets up - the one that points out our flaws, questions our worth, and measures our days against impossible standards? That inner critic so many of us know well.

Imagine taking it for a walk.

Not to silence it completely, but to listen differently. To understand where it came from and why it speaks the way it does. Because so often, that critical voice began as a kind of protector. It learned that staying alert, pleasing others, or striving for perfection kept us safe or accepted. But somewhere along the way, it became more punishing than protective.

In counselling, this is often the work we do - a slow, compassionate hike through the landscape of our own self-talk. As the pace slows, the inner critic begins to loosen its grip. You start to notice other sounds along the path: the crunch of leaves, the rhythm of your breath, and the quieter voice that says,

“You’re doing your best.”

“You don’t have to have it all figured out.”

“You’re allowed to rest.”

The journey toward self-compassion isn’t about banishing the critic altogether. It’s about walking alongside it until it no longer leads the way. With time and patience, its voice begins to soften, leaving space for something more truthful to emerge - a tone that comes not from fear, but from care.

When we learn to meet that inner voice with understanding instead of resistance, we create space for kindness to take root. And perhaps that is what real growth sounds like - the gentle footsteps of compassion catching up to meet us on the trail.

About the author

Samantha Cooke is an integrative counsellor based in Ascot, Berkshire. She offers a calm and reflective space for adults (18+) to explore their emotions and experiences. Alongside her therapeutic work, Samantha shares her musings and reflections on the quieter moments that shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

Contact Samantha here: CONTACT | Samantha Cooke