Self-criticism: what is it, how is it manifested, and how to get rid of self-criticism?

Healthy self-criticism is necessary for every person. It helps people move towards achieving their goals. Excessive search and endless analysis of their own shortcomings and mistakes lead to excessive self-criticism.

Under self-criticism is understood identification of their own mistakes, analysis and assessment of the negative aspects of their own actions, their thinking and behavior. Self-criticism in psychology is a reflective attitude of a person to himself, increased demands on his own person and an irreconcilable attitude to his mistakes (they are constantly being searched for), and taking measures to eradicate them. In simple terms, this means that self-criticism is associated with self-esteem, and self-criticism is a character trait.

An adequate perception of oneself, one's positive and negative traits is called healthy self-criticism. A critical attitude towards oneself indicates a person’s mental health. Too low level of self-criticism is too much high self-esteem, because of which a person is not able to admit his mistakes. He shies away from responsibility, sees in himself exclusivity, considering himself the best.

Decreased self-esteem leads to excessive self-criticism in which there is a loss of self-confidence. Excessive self-criticism means that the individual has some mental abnormalities. Such a person blames himself for all the troubles. He considers himself an unworthy person.

Psychologists identify a number of signs of too self-critical people.

1. Instead of analyzing his mistakes, a person evaluates and criticizes himself as a person. At the same time, self-esteem is greatly reduced, there is a likelihood of increasing errors in the future.
2. Self-critical people, for fear of failure, avoid risks when making decisions.
3. A person prone to excessive self-criticism is afraid to openly express his opinion, since he believes that such unqualified and unauthorized reasoning does not deserve attention.
4. A self-critical person is focused on his shortcomings. The results of the actions taken do not always suit him, since he necessarily reveals flaws that once again convince him of the inability to do something good.
5. The constant scrolling in the head of negative scenarios, the expectation of personal failure lead to increased anxiety.
6. Insisting on one’s desires and asking for help is not possible due to fear of rejection. In addition, a self-critical person is afraid to look in his own eyes a wimp and clumsy.

On the one hand, the assessment of one’s own actions allows a person to discern and correct personal shortcomings. On the other hand, excessive self-criticism leads to undesirable consequences.

A person capable of introspection can admit his own mistakes and find a compromise solution with others. Adequate healthy self-esteem has several advantages:

• the individual's understanding of the inefficiency or effectiveness of his actions;
• obtaining additional motivation;
• setting new goals, developing a plan to achieve them;
• adequate analysis of their activities;
• the ability to correct their own actions;
• ability to draw the right conclusions;
• getting rid of excessive self-confidence;
• building respect for other personalities;
• manifestation of the ability to recognize their mistakes and shortcomings;
• ability to eliminate problems and errors;
• the opportunity to get better and better.

Increased self-criticism suppresses the initiative and independence of the individual. A person becomes convinced that nothing will work out anyway. The appearance of fears kills the desire to try to do something again. Feeling of guilt and shame is born. Self-esteem is sharply reduced.

All this can result in mental disorders, neurosis and depression. Lack of adequate self-criticism leads to self-digging and self-denial. The following causes contribute to this condition:

• the contradictory nature of feelings and motives, the lack of a clear understanding of one's desires, conflict and disagreements with oneself, which often lead to the fact that self-criticism becomes a way of life;
• the inability to determine one’s own life guidelines, reliance on other people's beliefs, principles, and value system invariably lead to excessive self-criticism;
• lack of personal boundaries, lack of understanding of one’s own responsibility and guilt of other people, inability to exercise control over the situation lead to recording all difficulties, failures and problems at one’s own expense.

A sign of objective criticism is the availability of accurate information and the evaluation of some data.. Subjective criticism based on a single fact.An objective interpretation of the information takes place like this: an individual underestimates his abilities, but, having analyzed the events soundly, understands that his career is developing quite successfully, he motivates his colleagues to advance through the ranks, his family life also brings him a lot of joy and happiness. Consequently, his installation of worthlessness was provoked by someone's subjective criticism. Excessive parental demands, undeserved punishments, and humiliation of children give rise to excessive criticism and give an orientation to worthlessness.

Subjective criticism is based on the assessment of one trait. It is based on the feelings and emotions of a particular person. Subjective opinion can be imposed by society or any person from the environment. Assessment of one’s own actions takes place depending on the system of values, personal beliefs and beliefs. High or low self-esteem will correspond to a certain self-criticism.

Excessive self-criticism is focusing on own shortcomings without taking advantage. A person simply does not notice the good qualities in himself. He focuses on shortcomings and is confident that he does not deserve the benefits of life. Often this opinion is not true.

Excessive self-criticism prevents the individual from looking at circumstances from the side and finding suitable prospects for himself. A person immersed in inner experiences is focused on his negative traits and does not notice what is happening around the events.

It is common for self-critical people to subject all their actions to rigorous evaluation, to search endlessly for shortcomings in themselves. The existing steady behavior of the search for one’s own mistakes makes a person self-conscious. In all his actions a person sees insignificance and insignificance. He refuses new opportunities, does not attempt to achieve the desired result. Fears and doubts do not allow the personality to reveal itself, to be realized in the proper measure.

To a person with high self-criticism, it constantly seems that problems left in the past are returning. He again comprehends them and emotionally experiences. A systematic return of thoughts to past events undermines a person from within. An analysis of past actions should lead the individual to learn positive lessons, and not to self-discipline.

An individual engaged in constant self-criticism sees the world in a dark color. Self-doubt boosts the atmosphere, a person ceases to notice his own merits, does not see any prospects and does not understand how to correct the situation. He does not even seek to work on himself.

Too much self-criticism leads to excessive distrust. A person with such a quality is not able to open his soul to people, gradually fencing himself off from them. Suspicion deprives him of the opportunity to acquire personal happiness.

The ability to perceive the world positively restores peace of mind, contributes to the acquisition of additional opportunities. Some ways of working on one’s own consciousness help get rid of tough self-criticism.

• The acceptance of responsibility is manifested in the ability to hold accountable for one’s actions before the mind and heart.. Always remember that any committed action is carried out in accordance with your choice, so never blame others for the negative consequences. Take responsibility for all occurring events.
• Feeling Analysis helps a lot in the fight against self-criticism. Control yourself, do not listen too much to the opinions of others. Do not submit to your worrying thoughts, do not question your own strengths. Self-criticism always needs correction. Inner freedom is gained by calming violent emotions through the analysis of feelings.
• The “piggy bank” of own success raises self-esteem to the desired level. Fix in a notebook all successfully completed cases. Switch attention from your flaws to virtues. Get rid of the habit of regularly scolding yourself for any reason. Accumulate your achievements, gradually come closer to understanding your individual value. Recognize your success, praise yourself.
• An independent characterization helps get rid of negative thinking. Ask someone you know to write out all your strengths and weaknesses, strengths and weaknesses on a piece of paper.
• The parallels between self and other people are meaningless. Stop comparing yourself to others. All people have different capabilities and abilities. Accept your features and use them with benefit, focus only on yourself. Each person has his own character and temperament. It is impossible to force a choleric to do monotonous work and it is pointless to accuse the phlegmatic of slowness.
• You need to listen to the opinions of others, but you should not live on other people's thoughts. Try to find your own view of things and events. Try to find individuality and inner harmony. This is a good method of getting rid of self-criticism.
• Doing what you love restores peace of mind, instills in a person inspiration and desire to act, to overcome various obstacles on the way to the implementation of planned actions. Do creative work or sports, build your own business, bring up children. Favorite business helps to reveal strengths, demonstrate them to others. This eliminates oppressive thoughts and contributes to the acquisition of inner freedom.