Self-criticism would sound like this: 

"I always mess things up. I can't seem to get anything right."

"Everyone else is so talented. I'll never be as good as them."  

"I'm not smart enough. I'll never be able to achieve my goals."

"I don't deserve happiness or success. I'm not worthy of it."

These self-critical thoughts are often distorted and don't reflect our true abilities or worth. That is why we must challenge them and replace them with more positive and realistic thoughts. While it takes a lot of time to practice and change the way we think, let's look at a few simple ways to deal with self-criticism:

✓ Practice Self-awareness: Self-awareness is the foundation for dealing with self-criticism. Start by paying attention to your thoughts and emotions. Notice when self-critical thoughts arise and how they make you feel. By becoming aware of these patterns, you can begin to address them.

✓ Challenge negative thoughts: When self-critical thoughts arise, take a step back and evaluate their validity. Ask yourself if there is evidence to support these thoughts or if they are based on assumptions or self-doubt. Challenge them by looking for alternative perspectives or reframing the situation in a more positive light.

✓ Practice Self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a friend. Offer yourself words of encouragement and support instead of harsh criticism. Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that it's okay to be imperfect. Cultivating self-compassion helps to counterbalance self-criticism.

✓ Focus on strengths and achievements: Shift your attention towards your accomplishments and positive qualities. Recognize your strengths and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. By acknowledging your achievements, you build self-confidence and counteract the negative impact of self-criticism.

✓ Set realistic expectations: Often, self-criticism stems from setting impossibly high standards for ourselves. It's important to set realistic and achievable goals. Recognize that making mistakes and facing challenges are natural parts of growth and learning. Embrace the idea that progress is more important than perfection.

✓ Seek Support: Dealing with self-criticism can be challenging, and it's okay to ask for help. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or professionals who can provide a different perspective and offer support. Sometimes, an outside viewpoint can help challenge negative self-criticism and provide guidance on how to navigate it.

Dealing with self-criticism takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and embrace self-acceptance and self-love along the way. You deserve kindness and compassion, both from others and from yourself.

Thank you for reading, dear reader ❤️. If you find this insightful, do well to share with your audience.