“Nobody can hurt me without my permission.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Feeling hurt or taking things personally can have a negative impact on your self-esteem and mental well-being. It can be challenging to develop a thick skin and not let criticism affect you. Here are six habits that have proven effective for reducing stress, anger, and hurt in life:
1. Breathe.
Take a moment to focus on your breath, allowing yourself to calm down and create space between your emotions and the situation.
2. Get clarification.
Instead of jumping to conclusions, ask questions to clarify what the other person meant and express how their words made you feel.
3. Realize that everything isn’t about you.
Remember that criticism or verbal attacks may be a reflection of the other person's emotions or circumstances, rather than a direct attack on you.
4. Talk it out.
Discuss your feelings with a trusted friend or loved one to gain perspective and prevent negative thoughts from spiraling.
5. Ask yourself: is there actually something here that could help me?
Consider if there is any constructive feedback that you can learn from and use to improve yourself, rather than dwelling on the negativity.
6. Improve your self-esteem.
By being kind to others, you can boost your self-esteem and develop a healthier perspective on criticism and personal attacks.
Practicing kindness, offering support, and being encouraging towards others can have a positive impact on how you perceive yourself and how others treat you.
