Self-Compassion vs. Self-Criticism: Which Mindset Are You Fueling?

Learn the differences between self-compassion and self-criticism, how each mindset shapes mental health, and practical tips from the Best Psychological Counselor in Kolkata.

Actually, inner talk exerts such a powerful influence on mental wellbeing. In our thoughts, self-criticism is kind of like an inner voice that’s pointing out what we got wrong, what we messed up and where we failed. But what if that is actually more destructive than constructive? Let’s look at the details of how moving from self-criticism to self-compassion can unlock new doors to mind development and more well-being.

Let us briefly reflect on the contrast between those two mindsets, how these influence our life in detail, and why practicing self-compassion would be an empowering act in building resilience and worth.

What is Self-Compassion?

Self-compassion is being kind to yourself as you would to your closest friend or one you cherish. It entails three fundamental components that were invented and designed by Dr. Kristin Neff:

• Self-kindness
  Being kind and gentle with oneself and not self-criticizing.
• Common Humanity
  Being human and acknowledging that everybody makes mistakes and suffers, so that one is not alone in such a plight.
• Mindfulness
  Know and be conscious of one’s miserable feelings without judgment and repression; misery is an ingredient of life.

Self-compassion could be considered as a tendency of being patient with oneself, empathy, and acceptance which would heal all the emotions and lead to self-acceptance. Self-compassionate mindset does not mend upon flaws; it develops a positive attitude sans self-punishment.

What Is Self-Criticism?

Self-criticism is a thinking style that typically presents with negative self-talk. More frequently than not, self-critical thoughts keep looking for what you should have done better, what is missing or lacking, or how you do not measure up to someone else’s standards. Though some level of self-reflection is necessary and might be beneficial for insight, over-self-criticism can be troublesome because it leads to:

• Elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
• Lower self-esteem and value.
• The loss of positive risks and challenges, including the facing of new ones.

People who frequently use self-criticism in their work often feel that it has pushed them to raise their performance. Research, however, claims that that is not quite true; excessive self-criticism can result in debilitation in motivation, leading to avoidance, procrastination, and defeat.

Self-Compassion vs. Self-Criticism: Which One Inspires Growth?

While both self-compassion and self-criticism form personal growth, the strategy we employ may determine the outcome. Overreliance on self-criticism does not support growth because it generates fear and elusiveness. Self-compassion, on the other hand, fosters a growth mindset without an emotional cost.

Why Self-Compassion Leads to Lasting Change

• Develop Resilience
  Self-compassion will help you tolerate failures without losing resilience to deal with problems the next time around.
• Improves Mental Health
  Self-compassion suggests that it has an inverse relation with anxiety and depression; this implies that self-criticism normally has a positive correlation with higher degrees of both anxiety and depression.
• Helps Motivation
  Self-compassionate individuals are less likely to quit their endeavors when they do not get due to the perception that mistakes are a source of learning and not character flaws in a person.

The Best Kolkata Psychological Counselor Role

That’s when such thinking strikes to help one move from being self-critical to gaining professional advice during those times. That’s the right move for The Best Psychological Counselor in Kolkata at Minds Eye to give it the right tools and techniques to do the trick.

How to Change Mind from Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion

The change from self-criticizing thoughts to self-compassion is not easy. But with patience and practice, here is how you can do that for yourself:

• Record Self-Critical Thoughts
  Pay attention to when you are self-criticizing. Tracking these thoughts can heighten your inner awareness.
• Refocus as the Student of Mistakes
  Redirect your mindset from viewing mistakes as failures, so then think of it as something to be learned from.
• Love Yourself at the Times You Feel Like Screwing Up
  Envision you are writing a letter to your friend about this experience then write it to yourself.
• Practice Shared Humanity
  Nobody has their good days. It can be pretty comforting to know that others have been where you are as well.
• Practice Mindfulness
  Sit with painful feelings but do not become your painful feelings. This allows you to be present with your thoughts without becoming a slave to them.

Read here for more

Benefits of Self-Compassion on Mental Health

There are many benefits for mental health in making the transition from self-criticism to self-compassion. Here are just a few examples of how self-compassion enhances well-being:

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety
  Self-compassion has even been proven to have lower cortisol levels that reduce the body’s response to stress and induces relaxation.
• Promotes Relationships
  Your relationships tend to be healthier as you take care of yourself more often.
• Boosts Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
  Self-compassion generates a level of self-worth that does not depend upon achievements, thus further minimizes the need to attain external validation to feel good about oneself.

How the Best Psychologist in Kolkata Can Help

At Minds Eye, the Best Psychologist in Kolkata revives the people who, for whatever reasons, continue criticizing themselves. Under counseling sessions, they are able to explore their inner self and discover patterns of self-criticism, bringing along with them the practices of self-compassion.

Professional counseling can be a very structured mode of helping someone to cultivate self-compassion in a manner that will be constant and sustainable. In doing this, not only is the way one thinks of himself changed, but he may also be able to enhance his relationships, work prospects, or even his mental well-being in general.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the difference between self-compassion and self-pity?
  It treats oneself kindly but takes flaws and hardships of the human experience as normal. Self-pity, on the other hand, revolves around how one feels sorry for themselves and can be a vicious cycle, where the person cannot seem to move forward.
  
• How does self-compassion improve mental health?
  Self-compassion decreases anxiety and stress and enhances self-esteem. It also does this by making a person more resilient in recovery as well as overcoming setbacks.
  
• Is self-criticism helpful?
  Self-criticism is useful when it leads to reflection and improvement but too much criticism has resulted in a decreased level of motivation, low self-esteem, and higher levels of stress.
  
• When should I call in professional help for self-criticizing?
  If your self-critical thoughts are affecting you psychologically, relationally, or in daily life, talking to a mental health worker will help you win a more positive mindset.
  
• Is Self-Compassion a learnable skill, or is it a personality type?
  Self-compassion is a skill one can learn. The proficiency comes along with the practice. Now, overnight it may not be possible to just flip from a self-critical mentality; well, one can certainly consult a counselor for that.

Conclusion

Of course, learning how to bring self-compassion rather than self-criticism into your life transforms and improves mental well-being and resilience and overall quality of life. Though at times spurred by self-criticism to improve, such a drive is generally coupled with a great deal of unnecessary stress and self-doubt. Self-compassion encourages from within a nurturing environment from which we grow.

So, if you are self-critical or want to help nurture a gentle approach toward self, then consulting the Best Psychological Counselor in Kolkata at Minds Eye would be the best step ahead. Counseling all deals with providing tools and inputs that encourage a healthy mindset into the mind of a person, making him a better individual who could lead more fulfilled, self-compassionate lives.