Yuh Really Going Out Wearing Dat? When Your Inner Critic Sounds Like a Trini Auntie
- Nadia Renata
- May 23
- 3 min read
Meet Your Inner Critic: The Carnival Judge of Your Mind
You know the one. She leans against the wall of your thoughts, arms folded, eyebrow raised, sipping a Solo like it’s her business.
“Yuh really wearing that dream outside just so?”
“You sure people not laughing at yuh behind yuh back?”
“You? A whole business owner? Girl, please.”
She’s not evil. She’s just loud. And dramatic. And she shows up exactly when you’re about to do something big, bold, or brand new - like launch your service, speak your truth, or rest when everybody else grinding.
We all have that inner voice. And for some of us in the Caribbean, it sounds suspiciously like someone from our past:
The teacher who always called you out
The auntie who meant well, but only knew how to critique
The church lady who side-eyed your confidence
But here’s the twist: just because that voice is familiar doesn’t mean it’s true.
What If Your Inner Voice Was a Soft, Sweet Aunty Instead?
Imagine this: You're about to post that vulnerable caption. Your chest tightens. Here comes the critic:
“You sounding real desperate, yuh know. Nobody need to hear all that.”
But then - flip it. Another voice steps forward. Still Trini. Still aunty. But this time:
“Babes, say what yuh have to say. Who fuh yuh, fuh yuh. And who cyah handle it? Daiz dey bizness! Let them keep scrolling.”
Or you're doubting your ability to lead, and instead of:
“Buh who yuh really feel yuh iz?”
You hear: “Eh eh! Look how far yuh come. Give yuhself some credit, nah.”
That’s the voice we’re growing now. The one that pours coconut oil on your insecurities and tells you to walk tall. The one that lifts her head from her devotions and says,
“God not done with you yet, chile.”
Why We All Need a Rewired Inner Aunty
Because for many of us, the critic we hear wasn’t born inside us; it was planted. It was passed down from generations that had to survive, perform, hustle, stay small to stay safe.
That inner voice is doing her best to protect you. She just doesn’t realise that you’ve outgrown fear-based living.
So instead of silencing her completely, we retrain her. We teach her how to speak with compassion. We help her update her tone, from cuss-out to cheerleader.
Because confidence isn’t built by fighting the critic. It’s built by changing who gets the mic.
A Quick Practice: Inner Voice Rewrite
Take one of your harshest thoughts, the one that hits you like a hard clap. Now rewrite it as if your most loving Trini aunty were sitting beside you.
- Original: “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
- Rewritten: “Yuh learning, babes. Every queen start somewhere.”
- Original: “You looking real stupid putting that out there.”
- Rewritten: “Somebody waiting for exactly what yuh have. Put it out proud.”
This isn’t make-believe. It’s emotional reparenting - Caribbean-style.
Let Her Be Loud, But Let Love Lead
Your inner critic may never fully disappear. She might still have things to say. But now, you get to choose who leads.
Let your inner aunty be soft. Let her be wise. Let her hold your hand when you feel small, and tell you, in that sweet sing-song voice: “Doh study them. Yuh doing good, gyul. Keep going.”
Affirmation: I choose to speak to myself with the same tenderness my soul deserves. My inner voice is evolving with me.
Reflection Prompt: What’s one thought I keep repeating and how can I rewrite it with more softness and cultural care?
Comments