Is The Fear of Being Judged Stopping You?

Written by Jessie Keller, March 9, 2026

How often does the fear of being judged stop you from trying new things?

Have you ever been people-watching and judged someone for being silly or ridiculous, and then months later something comes up that invites you to be silly and ridiculous too? But you stop yourself because you remember judging someone else that day. That day, you told yourself you could never do something like that. And even though today you want to let go and have fun, you can’t.

When we talk about the fear of judgment, we normally think about other people judging us. Maybe they are, and maybe they aren’t. But often, the judge that stops us from being free and sharing our joy with the world is ourselves. That inner judge. Those inner belief systems. They become some of the biggest obstacles to our freedom, disguised as situations, challenges, difficult people, and more.

So how do we overcome or let go of this inner judge and those inner belief systems? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

My first answer: I have no clue. Just like you, I am on this journey.

My second answer: I have come across many different techniques that have been helpful in different moments. One that I recently came across comes from Florence Scovel Shinn. It’s a simple phrase you say to yourself when a limiting thought or judgment comes up:

“I cast this burden to the superconscious, and I go free to be loving, harmonious, and happy.”

You can also change it to fit whatever you are feeling.

“I cast this burden of being judged, that I am a bad dancer, to the superconscious, and I go free to be loving, harmonious, happy, and a brilliant dancer!”

You can use it for other parts of your life too:

“I cast this burden of lack and limitation to the superconscious, and I go free to be loving, harmonious, happy, and filled with wealth!”

If you want more information, here is the YouTube I got it from. 

Have fun playing! I would love to hear your experiences with this.