As Teenagers, we study, evolve, and learn something new every day. A crucial part of learning is improving, and the way to improve is by accepting valuable criticism. Unfortunately, the world stereotypes teenagers as snobby, self-centered egotists, and honestly, that is accurate to a certain extent. Criticism usually hurts our ego more than it helps us grow. This is due to the way we perceive it.
Being criticized usually angers us, but it invokes affliction when it comes from those close to us.
Criticism negatively affects us because we take feedback personally instead of looking at it objectively. The ability to withdraw and refocus your mind in a situation allows you to obtain a fresh perspective towards any criticism. While it is much easier said than done, being able to do so helps you understand a critique’s perspective.
Throughout our childhoods, we were taught to acknowledge and understand that everyone has different perspectives. If one accepts criticism, one potentially finds a new way of looking at themselves and the world around them. By taking helpful criticism and tips into account, you have the means to be a better version of yourself.
However, not all criticism is good for you. We are often criticised for our work, behaviour, clothing, and just about anything else we do. There’s always someone waiting, with a pitchfork, to chase you at the slightest slip-up. We react differently to criticism from different people. Criticism from our parents is taken very differently as compared to criticism from friends. While some criticism gives you an opportunity to change for the better, others may force you to lose yourself and change for the worse- especially if you need to change yourself simply to fit in.
Criticism is a powerful tool that allows us to consider different viewpoints, and it may help us improve as individuals. If criticism is given with care, encouragement and is feasible, people will be more open to listening, adapting, and changing. However, we must make judgment calls ourselves and whether the received criticism will be helpful or harmful and then decide how we accept it into our life.
