Leah asked Elizabeth Gilbert:

I'm sure you have been asked this many times, but how do you quiet the not so kind voice in your head? The one whispering "you have absolutely no idea what you're doing," and perhaps "you shouldn't even be doing this it in the first place?" Was that ever an issue for you?

Elizabeth Gilbert I know that voice well. This is the evil-sounding voice who is constantly asking, "Who the hell do you think you are?" Most people flinch and collapse as soon as they encounter that voice, because it's so terrifying. I used to be afraid of that voice, too. But then I got curious about it, and really examined the question that this voice was asking me ("Who the hell do you think you are?") I realized that it's nothing to be afraid of. It's a pretty straightforward question, actually. Why should I be afraid of that question? What if I have the answer, which will diffuse it? What if I just reply? So now, whenever I hear that voice asking me who the hell I think I am, I just calm down and answer it. I say: "It's funny you should ask..." and then I tell that voice who I am. I am many things. I am a child of God, deserving of love and curiosity the pursuit of creativity. I am a writer, because I made a contract with the universe long ago that I would always be a writer — even if I don't always write WELL. And I am a woman, lucky enough (unlike all my female ancestors) to actually have a voice in the world, and I intend to use it. So that's what I tell the voice: "I'm a child of God, I'm a writer, and I'm a woman using her voice. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." Then the evil voice sort of shrugs like, "Oh, cool. Didn't know that. Was just wondering." And it goes away. When those voices challenge you, stand up in the fullness of your selfhood, and speak back to them. Don't yell at them, don't argue with them, don't get defensive and shrill. Just remind them who you are, with dignity and certainty. That will quiet them down.

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