The Psychology of your 20s 109. Why are we so hard on ourselves?
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Jul 22, 2023 Why do we often act as our own worst critics? The podcast explores the psychological roots of self-criticism and its correlation with upbringing, societal pressures, and childhood experiences. It highlights the effects of overthinking and social comparison on self-worth. Listeners are introduced to empowering strategies like radical self-compassion and cognitive diffusion that can help silence the inner critic. The conversation emphasizes embracing self-love and acceptance as crucial steps toward enhancing mental well-being and resilience.
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Self-Criticism Defined
- Self-criticism is excessively negative and often automatic, impacting our behaviors and beliefs.
- It goes against our best interests and makes it hard to be kind to ourselves.
Origins of the Inner Critic
- The "inner critic" is a manifestation of our ego, specifically the super-ego.
- It internalizes societal and parental expectations, regulating our actions from childhood.
Brain's Role in Self-Criticism
- We use different brain areas for judging ourselves versus others.
- Self-criticism may have an evolutionary role in error detection and behavioral regulation for survival.