Strengthening self-esteem to manage criticism

The way a person values themselves acts as a central pillar in how they live and relate to others.

Having good self-esteem does not mean feeling superior or pretending to be flawless, but rather recognizing your own worth, even in difficult times or when things do not go as expected.

It means knowing that making mistakes does not negate your abilities, that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, and that you can be valuable without depending on the approval of others.

This healthy view of oneself not only helps to sustain internal motivation, but also allows for greater emotional resilience in the face of life's ups and downs.

Without this solid internal foundation, any external opinion can become a direct attack on one's identity.

How self-esteem protects against criticism

When inner security is low, the opinions of others take on disproportionate weight.

Criticism, even the most constructive, can be perceived as personal threats because there is no internal space from which to sustain one's own worth.

On the other hand, those who have cultivated a strong sense of self-esteem do not need others to constantly confirm their value.

This does not mean becoming indifferent to opinions, but rather developing a filter that allows us to discern which observations can help us improve and which simply reflect external judgments that do not deserve to be internalized.

In this way, we prevent each criticism from triggering intense emotions of rejection, insecurity, or deep sadness.

Learning not to identify with every word that comes from our environment is part of the emotional work that supports self-esteem.

Personal responsibility and healing past wounds

Many self-esteem issues have their roots in childhood or experiences where one was not treated with enough respect, affection, or validation. However, carrying that baggage indefinitely can become a prison.

Recognizing the impact of past experiences is important, but so is accepting that each person has the ability to choose how to move forward.

Sometimes, the way we treat ourselves reflects old internal voices that are still active: harsh words, automatic judgments, labels assumed to be true.

Re-educating that inner voice is part of emotional strengthening. Letting go of the role of victim and regaining responsibility for one's own narrative is an act of maturity that sets us free.

When this change is achieved, you no longer live to avoid criticism, but to grow, learn, and relate to others from a place of confidence and authenticity.