Self Criticism

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It's true. They're not.

I watched Schitt's creek for the second time a few months ago just to re-enjoy the warmth and joy this show brings. The show is packed with some beautiful heartwarming lines and scenes; the above is just one of them.

This line greatly resonated with me because David (the protagonist) was going through something nearly all of us have but have no clue how to snap out of.

Self Criticism.

Pretty self-explanatory to its core - it's the act of demeaning and disregarding yourself and your achievements, thinking that you're worth nothing and all your work is terrible and useless. 
You develop a constant tendency to over-evaluate yourself and fall into a void of constant spiralling.
You literally critique every single thing you try to do and it can stem from various sources such as childhood trauma, toxic parenting, diminished self-confidence and constant rejection.

The biggest problem is, as mentioned above, you just can't stop once you're in the cycle.
So here are a few light touch methods you can try at home; but if it gets really serious, I would suggest seeing a professional as there may be a deeper cause.

  1. Write it down.
    Your brain will come up with a million random thoughts just popping up but when you ask it to convert to text, it'll have a hard time. When you start writing, rational thoughts start to come and subdue some of the harsh ones.
    Your brain WILL come up with a few, but 10 is better than 100 and helps you focus on those points better.

  2. Check your surrounding
    Maybe it's a toxic friend who brags about themselves a lot and constantly shows you the ground? 
    Maybe you're being compared 24x7? 
    A lot of times these thoughts arise from the same and you need to physically take measures to combat or in extreme cases, cut off those people from your lives.
    Only you can decide what's good for you and you should take an informed decision. Don't be impulsive.

  3. Convert
    Sharma ji ka beta gets 100% always and you're stuck at 70s
    For all you know, Sharma ji ka beta is himself burnt out from carrying the big burden.
    Convert these thoughts of not being "good enough" and then force them to drive you to study. Convert it into a goal. And remember, be realistic with yourself, you cannot go from 70 to 99 in 1 day. It takes time and you'll get there eventually.
    Acknowledge the 80s and celebrate your first 90 along the way.

  4. Read Desiderata
    I read this poem as part of my school curriculum and found it really amazing. Though my fellow ISC kids probably disliked having to rote learn every line, I love that this poem is a simple read and gives you a deep insight into your life without getting too "literature-ish".

    I hope you enjoyed today's post. Had a fun time writing it. Don't forget to share and comment for more content, every Friday!

    Signing off,
    Kuhu :)

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