Critic

You find a box in the attic

A ball of tears lies in this box.  It is larger than your head.  The tears are rank and tangled; they bite your skin as you hold the ball.  A voice in the center of the ball speaks with malice that draws more tears from your eyes, adding to the tangle.

You must untangle the tears to get at the voice.  As you unwind the ball, the voice gets louder and your strength to endure its malice grows greater.