There is nothing wrong with striving for excellence in your career, life, and relationships. However, if you feel that giving less than 100 percent is not good enough, you may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of disappointment.
Let us ask you. Are you:
- Constantly criticizing yourself for small mistakes
- Holding yourself to impossibly high standards
- Blaming yourself for things outside of your control
- Comparing yourself unfavorably to others
- Being excessively self-critical or harsh in your inner dialogue
- Ignoring or invalidating your accomplishments and successes
- Unable to forgive yourself for past mistakes
- Having unrealistic expectations of yourself and others
- Being a perfectionist with no room for failure?
If yes! You are on edge. Stop being hard on yourself.
Negatives of being hard on yourself
Being hard on yourself can have adverse effects on your mental as well as physical health.
- It can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
- It can also lead to burnout and chronic stress, which may negatively impact your immune system and increase the risk of health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Being hard on yourself can impact your relationships and make it difficult to form new ones, as well as make you more likely to avoid taking risks and trying new things.
- Additionally, when we are hard on ourselves, we tend to focus on our mistakes or shortcomings rather than on our strengths or accomplishments.
Let go of toxic perfectionism
People who exhibit toxic perfectionist behavior may set unrealistic standards for themselves, have difficulty completing tasks and may be excessively critical of themselves and others.
They may also have difficulty accepting their mistakes or imperfections. They might engage in harmful behaviors such as procrastination, avoidance, and self-sabotage.
It's important to note that perfectionism can be healthy when it's balanced with self-compassion, but when it becomes toxic, it can be detrimental to one's well-being.
Be kind to yourself
Here are some mindful ways to be kind to yourself:
- Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a good friend.
- Engage in mindfulness meditation: Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath, allowing thoughts and feelings to pass without judgment.
- Take a break: Permit yourself to take a break when you need it, whether that means stepping away from work for a few minutes or taking a day off.
- Engage in physical activity: Get moving with a form of physical activity that you enjoy, whether it's yoga, running, or dancing.
- Connect with nature: Spend time outdoors, whether a walk in the park or a hike in the woods.
- Practice gratitude: Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things in your life that you are grateful for.
- Show yourself kindness through self-care: Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
- Surround yourself with positive people: Spend time with people who lift and support you.
Also Check: Look Out if You Are Invalidating Yourself
Last words
Remember, being kind to yourself is a continuous practice, don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up; keep trying.
Being kind to yourself is a critical aspect of self-care and mental well-being.
It's important to understand oneself, to recognize that we all make mistakes, and to focus on learning from them rather than dwelling on them.
You are worthy of love and kindness, including from yourselves.
Find assistance
Those who are overly hard on themselves usually believe their criticism of themselves is valid. Perfectionists are particularly prone to this.
If you are having trouble cutting off your harsh or judgmental attitude, it may be beneficial to consult a therapist who can help you improve your way of thinking.
