Fake News, Gremlins & Our Truth

Fake news is all around us, but it isn’t something we only encounter online, in the media, or in the grocery store. 

This is also something we experience internally—the lies and doubts our inner critic feeds us every day. 

You know those loud, nagging voices that hold you back? I call them gremlins, and they’re experts at feeding us fake news about ourselves. But here’s the truth: we don’t have to listen. Today, I shared how I learned to fact-check my inner critic, silence the fake news, and step into my truth using affirmations.

My Gremlin:

I shared a story about a time a few years ago when I was scheduled to audition for a TV series. It was something I had been so excited about and was looking forward to the experience when my “Gremlin,” AKA my censor, entered the picture. It threw out all kinds of thoughts that really made me question myself and what I was doing. It said things like:

1. You are not an actress
2. It’s scary
3. You won’t be chosen
4. It’s a waste of your time and gas

5. You need to work on the house
6. You don’t look good enough
7. You’re frumpy right now
8. What if I get anxious and ruin it
9. What if I got it, and it interfered with our life
10. It’s so far away
11. What if it’s a scam

I wrestled with these lies for three days until I finally stood up to my gremlin and said, “Enough!” This moment taught me the importance of silencing fake news and stepping into my truth.

Fake news thrives on fear. It’s designed to grab your attention, make you doubt reality, and leave you feeling unsettled. 

It plays on our emotions in hopes we will listen.

Our gremlins are persistent. They’re loud and convincing; if we’re not careful, we will believe their fake news and let it dictate our lives.

The Dilemma:

Gremlins weren’t always bad—the truth is they came into existence long ago to help protect us.

Likely born in our childhood, when we came across scary, traumatizing things and felt unsafe, our “gremlin,” AKA our censor, was there to lead us to safety, giving us warning signs and messages that we heeded.

Or it may be the voice of someone else in our life that steered us away from what they thought might be scary or unsafe. 

The problem now, though? 

We may be stepping out of our comfort zone, and our gremlin will see this as a threat. Risk and uncertainty are the gremlin’s nemesis.  So, the more risk you encounter, the more threat it's going to feel you are under. 

This poses a huge dilemma. 

While we can appreciate and acknowledge our gremlin trying to help us, we are now in a place where we can help ourselves.

We can no longer be willing to entertain the fear-mongering and FAKE NEWS!

Taking Back Control:

You have the power to stop rolling out the red carpet for your gremlins. Fact-check their fake news and replace their lies with affirmations rooted in truth.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What if I don’t take the risk and die without ever trying?
2. What if the fake news they’re feeding me isn’t even remotely true?
3. And more importantly, what if I’ve been believing lies about myself and I never achieve what I want in life?

The only way to silence the gremlins is to drown them out with truth. For me, that truth comes through affirmations.

Affirmations are like the fact-checkers of your inner world. They are there to remind you of what’s real and true. 

Here are a few affirmations I use:

• “I am enough, was created enough, and will always be enough.”
• “I am capable and willing, and I do what it takes to create the life I desire.”
• “God has equipped me with exactly what I need to be who I am in this world.”
• “I can do anything I give my all to.”

 These affirmations are my armor. They protect me when the gremlins try to creep back in, and they remind me of the truth I already know deep down.

Practical Ways to Fight Back:

So, how do we fight back against the fake news our gremlins feed us? Here’s what I want you to do this week:

1. Identify Your Gremlins: 
• Where and When do they show up?
• What lies are they telling you? 
• Ask yourself, who’s voice is this?
• Write them down. 
2. Challenge the Fake News: 
• Ask yourself: Is this really true? 
• Is this based on facts or thought?

3.  Replace the Lies with Truth:
   • Use affirmations to remind yourself of who you are.
   •  Speak them out loud.
   • Write them down, and repeat them daily.

Reflection: My Gremlin; My Truth

Take a moment to reflect on the following:

1. What does your gremlin sound like?
2. Does it sound different in different scenarios, or does it always have the same resounding words?
3. What would it look like for you to talk back to your gremlin?
4. What does your truth look like? 
5. What does it sound like?
6. Write down 4 affirmative truths to use when your gremlin promotes FAKE NEWS to you.

Key Takeaways:

• You are worthy.

• You are capable.

• You are strong.
• You were created for a purpose.
•  Risk is not a threat; it's a necessity. A necessity to grow, learn, and be free.
• We know our truth. Now it's time to live it.

Final Thoughts

As you go through this week, remember that your gremlins only have as much power as you give them. Take control of the narrative, fact-check your thoughts, and choose truth over fear. 

And don’t forget the fun assignment: Find a silly representation of your gremlin—a stuffed toy, a drawing, or anything that makes you smile when you think about how ridiculous their lies are.