How do I stop being so sensitive to criticism?

Question

Deeper Global · Accepted Answer

Being highly sensitive to criticism is often rooted in deeper fears about rejection, abandonment, or not being good enough. When your self-worth depends heavily on others' approval, any negative feedback can feel like a threat to your very identity. This sensitivity might have developed in childhood if you experienced harsh criticism, conditional love, or environments where mistakes weren't tolerated. Your nervous system learned to interpret criticism as danger, triggering intense emotional responses even to minor feedback. The first step in becoming less sensitive is recognizing that criticism says as much about the giver as it does about you. People criticize from their own perspectives, biases, and emotional states. Not all criticism is accurate, helpful, or given with good intentions. Learning to evaluate criticism objectively - asking yourself if it's constructive, coming from someone whose opinion matters, and whether there's truth you can learn from - helps you respond rather than react. Building a stronger sense of self-worth that comes from within rather than external validation is crucial. This means developing self-compassion and learning to treat yourself with the same kindness you'd show a good friend. Practice separating your actions from your identity - a mistake doesn't make you a bad person, it makes you human. When criticism does sting, allow yourself to feel the hurt without immediately defending or attacking back. With time and practice, you can develop the emotional resilience to hear feedback without it devastating your sense of self.