It is a natural and healthy thing to be our own critics. Just recently, one of my colleagues wrote an article on the importance of self-reflection. She explained that getting in the habit of reflecting on the things we do will help us improve in certain areas of our lives. You can find the article on the importance of self-reflection here. But there are those who take criticizing themselves to another level, I’m one of them! On many occasions, I’ve proved to be my own worst critic and had a consistent pattern of judging myself harshly. Anybody like me out there? It has sometimes been about the way I look, or a task I carried out which, by my own judgement, was not good enough though results were positive. At times, I would beat myself up because someone didn’t approve of me and I would drown in my own thoughts, wishing I had done something differently, or put extra effort in to be noticed.
Someone said: “The first step to being unhappy in life is to try to please everyone”, and they are right!
So, why should you stop judging yourself? I believe we would deal with our failures better if we start by settling the following in our minds:
1. No matter how well we put our “best self” on, no matter our efforts; not everyone will find us attractive or interesting; not everyone will see value in us. That’s fact! So living life trying to please every person we meet is a terrible waste of time.
2. Getting our own approval is something we cannot do without. If you want to succeed in life, start by believing in yourself, and believing that failure doesn’t define who you are. “A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.”– Mark Twain
Issues of self-esteem and confidence are more pronounced in some than they are in others. As you read this article, you may be struggling to see value in your life, but you desperately want to. Perhaps all you’ve thought of yourself is nothing more than an ordinary person. Perhaps you’re one who endlessly judges your appearance, your abilities to achieve something significant.
It’s time you begin to see and think differently about yourself, because it all starts in the mind. The moment perspectives change, your actions too will begin to change. One thing that brings us to see the truth about who we are is a relationship with our Creator. He alone can reveal to you why He made you and what He has placed in you. Would you allow Him in your life today? Click on the banner below, the video you watch will help you establish the first steps towards a relationship with God.
“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L. Hay