The Lightning And Thunder Of Kind Words

If you’re your own worst critic, hearing “You’re incredible at this” can feel jarring because it contradicts the narrative in your head that says, “I could have done better.”

This clash often leads to knee-jerk reactions, like deflecting (“Oh, it was no big deal”) or dismissing (“They don’t really mean it”). While these reactions might ease our initial unease, they also prevent us from fully embracing the positive impact of kind words.