How to Stop Outsourcing Your Critical Thinking? If you’ve ever caught yourself following a leader, teacher, or influencer without question — this is your wake-up call.

In a world of AI feeds, propaganda, and digital manipulation, your greatest protection is not someone else’s wisdom… it’s your own. War trauma therapist Ana Mael reveals why critical thinking must be personal, embodied, and rooted in your own nervous system — not borrowed from authority figures.

Learn how to stop putting people on pedestals, ask “Whose voice is this?” in your daily decisions, and reclaim your ability to think, question, and act from a place of dignity.

In this episode, you’ll learn: Why no teacher, therapist, or thought leader has your answers The real danger of putting anyone on a pedestal How to recognize when a belief isn’t yours The embodiment tools that anchor your critical thinking How to protect yourself from manipulation in the age of AI and propaganda If you’re ready to stop following blindly — and start leading yourself — this is the lesson that can save your freedom, rights, and future.

Subscribe to Exiled & Rising for more lessons on somatic critical thinking, resisting manipulation, and living with moral clarity. In this piece, Ana is teaching self-leadership in thinking and the danger of outsourcing your judgment to others — even trusted teachers or thought leaders.

Core Teaching Ana is dismantling the idea that authority figures (including herself) have the answers.

Instead, she emphasizes: Critical thinking starts with self-assessment — taking in perspectives but filtering them through your own values, experience, and body wisdom. No pedestals — respect others, but don’t elevate them to unquestionable authority. Embodiment is key — your body holds its own wisdom, and thinking must be anchored in your nervous system, not just in ideas. Self-responsibility — you are the final decision-maker in your life; teachers are guides, not rulers.

Key Lessons Follow experience, not personality Teachers can offer what worked for them, but it may not fit you exactly. Always ask “Whose voice is this?” This question helps you detect when thoughts or beliefs you hold aren’t actually yours. Critical thinking is personal, not borrowed Real thinking begins when you separate your inner voice from outside influence. Don’t idolize leaders Pedestal thinking blocks growth, creates dependency, and can lead to manipulation.

Impact Empowerment: Encourages individuals to own their decisions and trust their internal compass. Resilience against manipulation: Reduces susceptibility to propaganda, cult dynamics, and authority abuse. Sustainable learning: Shifts from blind following to engaged questioning, which is essential in resisting societal and digital manipulation.

Standout Quotes “Don’t even follow my thoughts… You have your own answers.” “Your body has your wisdom.” “Whose voice is this? That’s where real thinking begins.”