Let’s look at an example. When I hear my inner critic say that bringing up that I’m hurt by something to my partner is petty of me and that I’m being overly sensitive or needy, I can get curious about what this part of me is trying to do. In this case, my inner critic is trying to keep me from getting further hurt based on the fear that if I reveal myself, I won’t be cared for and listened to in the way I need and I will ultimately lose the relationship for having needs (yes, this is a history of neglect speaking).
