How to Deal With your Inner Critic

Today, I want to speak to you about your inner critic—although I hesitate to even use that term, it’s what I often hear actors call it. What we're really addressing is the journey back to trusting yourself, fully and fiercely.

As an actor, you may be preparing to tape, or walking into an audition, and you begin with a spark, an impulse, a direction. Then—there it is. That internal voice casting doubt. “Is this good enough?”, “Should I have made a different choice?”, “What if I’m too old, too much, not enough?”. And so the loop begins.

Even when you’re in the room or on set, that same voice can hijack the moment: “Do they like me?”, “Should I do more?”, etc. Your body is no longer centered. You’re split, no longer with the character, no longer with yourself. You leave your grounded presence in pursuit of external approval and validation.

Then comes the spiral of reviewing takes. “Which one is best?”, “None?”. It hurts. I see many of you come into our community with that pain—the longing to be an actor, to be fully alive in the work, and the weight of that voice crushing your fulfillment, freedom and presence.

So what do you do? You look outward. A new class, a better coach, someone bigger, someone who can “fix” it. But it doesn’t work. Because you’re still there—with the voice, with the doubt, with the wound.

Here’s the truth: When you watch my training below you will discover that that critic isn’t you. It’s the voice of authority you grew up under—your parents, teachers, the culture—telling you how to think, feel, behave. You internalized it to survive. You had to. It was smart.

But now, as an artist, that voice pollutes your pleasure. Your freedom. And so your work is to undo it. To return to the self that was never wrong. The instinctive, wild, feeling, knowing self. That’s the art of trusting yourself. That’s the art of being fully alive.

In our community, where we follow the “Gift Economy”—you pay what you can—we offer a space to begin this work. No funnels, no sales pitches. Just the opportunity to come back to your center. To taste your freedom again.

After you watch the training, I'd love for you to join in the conversation happening in our private Facebook Group THE INSTINCTIVE ACTORS' SOCIETY. You can get answers for your specific situation directly from me and connect with THOUSANDS of like-minded actors across the globe, so we can move things forward faster together.

If you're not already a member, be sure to request to join ASAP here.

See you there!

Jo Kelly

Creator, The Reset Journey From Resistance to Freedom

🔥 Here’s how I can support you right now 🔥

My entire approach to acting—and life—has shifted. I no longer subscribe to the old paradigm of hustle and grind. Instead, I choose trust. Flow. Radical generosity.

That’s why I’ve created something special for you: A 5-Day Reset Taster—a gentle but powerful introduction to this new way of being and creating.

This isn’t just another training. It’s a return—to your truth, your instincts, your freedom as an artist.

💡 And the best part? It’s completely pay-what-you-can.Whether you contribute $10 or $2000, your experience will be exactly the same. This is about your journey—not a price tag.

👉 [Start your 5-Day Reset Taster now]

If the work resonates with you, and you’re ready to keep going, you’ll have the chance to continue with the full Reset Journey—also on a pay-what-you-can basis. This path is here for you, in your timing, on your terms.

I can’t wait to walk this path with you.

With love,

Jo