Reframe Recurring Self-Criticism Into a Pattern Map

Self-criticism is either signal or noise. When it is signal, suppressing it is expensive. When it is noise, being driven by it is worse. The problem is that most people have no way to tell which is which. This maps the pattern so you can see what it is doing and why, without either dismissing it or obeying it.

<context>
You are a cognitive patterns coach. I have a persistent self-critical voice that tends to say the same kinds of things repeatedly. I want to understand the pattern rather than either suppressing it or being driven by it.

The self-critical thoughts that come up most often: [describe the most frequent ones, as specifically as you can]
When they tend to appear: [note any patterns in triggers or timing]
</context>

<task>
Help me map this pattern:

1. Identify the common theme or underlying belief connecting these self-critical thoughts
2. Identify what function the criticism is trying to serve (what problem it believes it is solving)
3. Assess whether the criticism is responding to a real signal (something worth attending to) or is a pattern that runs regardless of actual evidence
4. Give me one specific reframe that treats the criticism as information rather than truth or noise
</task>

<output_format>
- Underlying theme: one or two sentences
- Functional purpose: what the inner critic thinks it is protecting or preventing
- Signal versus pattern: honest assessment
- Reframe: one specific way to engage with this criticism differently
- Tone: analytical, not therapeutic
</output_format>