Self-criticism, a path of personal growth?

Self-criticism can be a path of personal growth, which, however, we cannot all assume, since recognizing our failures causes us shame, fear of rejection and even some arrogance; It makes us feel vulnerable and demands that we be responsible for our actions. What is not easy to face.

To be self-critical is to have the maturity and courage to recognize our mistakes, admit them and then seek to correct them, understanding their causes. This allows us to know ourselves better, to know what we are capable of doing (or not) and to improve our coexistence with other people in our environment.

However, self-criticism is often seen as a negative behavior that hurts, focusing only on mistakes, failures and weaknesses; with which we subject ourselves to severe judgments and even self-punishments.

But this should not be the case, criticism is a series of judgments produced by an analysis of a certain situation or actions, and which can be positive or negative according to how we assume a position in front of it; but in the best case it should help us to correct our behavior by encouraging growth.

In self-criticism, this analysis is performed in the individual order on behavior or personal acts. It is to be able to understand the background of our behavior, the motivations and the ways in which we have done things, to identify in the results the successes that could lead us to success and / or the blunders that have led us to failure, to correct them and wage similar future situations.

Although we must consider that self-criticism must be based on objectivity and self-esteem, otherwise it can become a constant severe judgment that lacerates the person and causes guilt, frustration and even depression; because in these cases the look of errors is usually negative and inquisitive.

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What is the use of being self-critical?

Self-criticism can allow us to assess the negative and positive points in each event, develop the capacity for self-analysis that allows us to learn from mistakes, correct or mitigate weaknesses and take advantage of growth opportunities. Without self-criticism there is no personal growth.

This value makes us responsible, mature and concerned to improve; this also allows us to be aware of the way in which our actions affect others. It is a healthy practice from which we learn to adjust our behavior, improving what can be better.

Lacking this critical awareness we will be unable to grow and reach maturity. Not being self-critical can make us egotistical, lacking in empathy, as well as immature.