What Is Self-Criticism? Understanding the Inner Critical Voice
Self-criticism is a tendency to evaluate oneself negatively. A person may judge themselves harshly when they make a mistake or fail to meet expectations. Thoughts can arise like "I am not good at anything" , "I am not capable enough" or "I should have done better" . Occasional self-evaluation can help to recognize the areas for improvement. However, persistent self-criticism may negatively affect well-being and make it difficult to respond to challenges in a healthier way. Understanding self-criticism helps people recognize the difference between helpful self-reflection and harsh self-judgment.