I work in substance abuse treatment and facilitate a self-esteem enhancement group called “Putting Down the 2×4″. Group members are encouraged to identify harsh, destructive comments made by the Inner Critic, recognizing that although versions of these comments may have originally come from Mom/Dad/spouse/lover/employer/peer/etc., none of these people are currently in the room, so the Inner Critic’s voice is now their own. It is suggested that beating oneself up with such negativity is akin to scrawling these words on a 2×4 and using it to hit onself over the head.

Group members are given permanent markers and small wooden slats approximating 2×4′s, then instructed to write one or more of the critical comments on one side and a positive affirmation (or several) on the other.

Members are reminded that they have choices over which side they’ll focus on and that they have the ability, when stuck on the negative, to “turn it over.” Finally, members are encouraged to give the Inner Critic the hour/day/week/year off and “put down the 2×4.”