As the moon wanes into darkness, I am now in a place where I can reflect on the full moon eclipse that took place earlier this month. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t prepared for the intense wave of self-doubt that came flooding in with this eclipse.

I wrote this line in my last article about the Crow Moon lunar cycle not thinking much of it at time. “Connected to Mercury, this moon invites you to notice how you talk to yourself. It is time to heal the voice of your inner critic. Tread lightly as Mercury, the planet of communication, will be in retrograde at this time.”

But, dang!

I wasn’t prepared for the shame-spiral that was to unfold quickly and fiercely. It showed up in all places in my life, both big and small. Here is a simple example. One of my streams of income is as a pet care provider. After leaving the corporate world, my burnout was so intense the only thing I could even entertain doing for a paycheck was to be with animals who demanded nothing of me but care and literal feeding. During the eclipse, one of my clients cancelled their scheduled visits. I immediately assumed it was because I’m a horrible caretaker and not because their plans changed. What!?

The sense of overwhelm and feelings of failing at everything took me to LinkedIn to look at the job board. I sat there and stared at the screen. I had no idea what to even search. Then my voice of self-doubt said, “See, you don’t even know what’s next for you, how can you coach others on their journey?” So harsh!

Of course, none of that is true. My clients have rebooked with new dates for their trip. I was lovingly reminded in many different ways that I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing. That intense period of self-doubt reaffirmed how I am being asked to show up in the world and be of service. I think that was the point all along. I have recommitted to my work with a deeper sense of love and gratitude.

I am blessed to be part of a movement to reconnect with the sacredness of the natural world. This process of rewilding ourselves helps us remember who we are and opens a doorway to enchantment on a daily basis in the smallest of moments like being present enough to see a single raindrop clinging to a pine needle hours after the storm has passed.

An Invitation to Heal Your Inner Critic

We all have an inner critic that pops up from time to time with the intention to keep us safe by keeping us small. One of the best ways to heal your inner critic, or to at least quiet that voice for a bit, is to go outside and just be with nature - really be in it. Immerse yourself in the wonder and awe that is around you.

I have an invitation for you.

Go outside to a place that draws you. Find a threshold - it could be a log to step over, a natural doorway made by the trees, a creek to cross, etc. Before crossing over the threshold take a few deep breaths to center yourself and soften into your body. Let your senses widen. Slow down. Open your heart.

When you feel ready, step over the threshold and begin to notice what you see. You are not looking for anything. You are letting the natural world reveal herself to you when she feels ready. As you become part of this place, notice what you experience with your senses:

What do you see? Notice color, movement, shadow, the way light touches surfaces. Let your eyes rest on something that draws you without explanation.

What do you hear? Listen for layers: the near sounds, the far ones, the quiet ones beneath the obvious ones.

What do you feel with your physical body? Feel the air on your skin, the ground under your feet, the textures you’re drawn to gently explore.

What do you smell? Breathe in the subtle shifts: earth, bark, wind, leaf, water, stone.

Explore with your inner senses. Notice what stirs in your body as you meet the world this way: warmth, curiosity, calm, surprise, gratitude, love.

Let yourself linger with whatever meets you. When you feel complete, offer a small gesture of gratitude: a hand to your heart, a whispered thank‑you, a final attentive breath. Return when you’re ready, carrying what you noticed that felt alive for you. Write about what you experienced and how you felt afterward.

I hope this helps you reconnect, recenter, heal your inner critic and of course, find your frolic. If I can be of help to you on your journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Be well and frolic on.

Barbara Doane is a writer, speaker and founder of Find Your Frolic, where she helps humans unlearn societal conditioning to step into their soul calling. Her work weaves together decades of executive leadership with intuitive guidance, nature‑based practices, and gentle ritual to support deep personal and professional transformation. Work with Barbara to reconnect with your inner wisdom to build a career (and a life!) you love. Let’s frolic.