Stop With the Self-Criticism | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Stop With the Self-Criticism

Here's why you should try your very best to stop making negative comments about yourself.

19
Stop With the Self-Criticism
Andy Ward

We all have those days. Maybe you get excited in Chemistry lecture because you think you know the right answer to the professor’s question, only to be told that you’re entirely wrong. Maybe you’re feeling nice so you buy two vanilla lattes, one for you and one for your roommate, only to spill them all over yourself on the walk back to your dorm. Maybe you drive all the way to the gas station, only to realize you forgot any form of payment at home (and maybe I’ve found myself in one or more of these situations).

Sometimes, it’s natural to think or even vocalize self-critical remarks when things don’t go our ways. It’s so easy to think, “I am just so stupid”, “I can’t do anything right”, or “I hate myself” when we make mistakes. After all, confidently reciting the wrong answer in class can be pretty mortifying. But, criticizing ourselves shouldn’t be our immediate reflex after we mess up. Be aware that excessive self-criticism can be a sign of a mental illness such as major depressive disorder, but many individuals find themselves making self-critical comments in unfavorable situations.

So why do we resort to criticizing ourselves in the first place? It turns out that we may believe our self-critical comments are far more functional than they truly are. Research shows that many of us think, whether consciously or subconsciously, that our self-critical comments and inner monologues somehow encourage us to be better people. We believe that criticizing ourselves will move us toward being more productive individuals who never mess up, but this is entirely wrong. Unfortunately, when we criticize ourselves, we’re actually triggering more feelings of sadness, guilt, shame, frustration, and disappointment.

In a world where judgments about others are frequently passed, it’s disheartening that many of us end up judging ourselves. We shouldn’t be our own worst enemies. Instead, we should be our own best friends. We have to take care of ourselves, stop with the self-negativity, and let our mistakes roll off our shoulders. Basically, we should try to be as resilient as possible. Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back from or adapt to adverse situations and is considered one of the most important traits that contributes to peak mental health. We can practice being resilient by swallowing our self-critical remarks before they can leave our mouths. Even if we can’t help thinking them sometimes, we should try to hold ourselves back from saying them to people around us. After all, when we say negative things about ourselves to our friends, they're bound to be nothing but confused; they love us no matter what.

Of course, refraining from criticizing ourselves is much easier said than done. It can be difficult to push away unwanted thoughts, but the first step we can take is to accept that nobody’s perfect, no matter how cliché that sounds. Everyone makes mistakes and does “stupid” things sometimes. We’re all human, and none of us are perfect. Accepting this fact will make it easier to be resilient and brush it all off.

Remember this article the next time you start trying to start your car with your house key (I've definitely done this more than once in my life). Don’t be so quick to judge yourself. It’s okay. You’re human, and you're not stupid, not one bit. Move along with your day and try to love yourself the best you can.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1410
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16263
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3403
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments