56. What is the purpose of self-criticism and what to do about it

PLAYING-IT-SAFE

Self-criticism is a classic playing-it-safe move. What are the harsh criticisms that your mind come up with? How do you handle them? Do you try to replace them with positive thoughts? Do you do more with your life? Do you try to prove yourself that you are an okay person?

I ask all these questions to Dr. Christopher Willard, an expert on mindfulness and self-compassion.

In my conversation with Chris you will hear about:

• The purpose or the function of self-criticism. Why do we do it?
• The difference between self-compassion and self-esteem
• How to handle thoughts like “harsh criticism motivates me or I don’t deserve to be kind to myself”
• The difference between gratitude practices and toxic positivity
• How to practice gratitude
• What the default mode network is
• Chris’s upcoming book on resilience
• How to develop a perspective-taking.

Chris is a psychologist and an educational consultant, specializing in mindfulness. He serves on the board of directors at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, and is the president of the Mindfulness in Education Network. He is the author of Child’s Mind (2010), Growing Up Mindful (2016), Raising Resilience (2017), and eight other books for parents, professionals, and children. He also teaches at Harvard Medical School.

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