We all find ourselves in a place where we are judged by others. When it’s random strangers, we can often shrug it off to some degree… but when it’s the people around you, especially the people you feel should know you… well, that’s fucking hard.
One of the ways we deal with judgment is to internalize it. We take it in, hold on to it and create this situation in which we begin to punish ourselves. We withdraw from those around us, becoming less of ourselves in the process.
Another way to process judgment is to process it… try to be objective, and to understand where it may be coming from… and why we’re feeling it so damn harshly. Is there something in us that is triggered by this, and if so… why?
I think the difference between the two options is us. Where are we in our own journey?
Processing
If we are truly working towards being our best self, we can take the criticism and use it to help us grow. The outside judgment, while not fun at all, can often shine a spotlight on things that maybe we already know we need to work on, but perhaps we have ignored. Maybe it shines a spotlight on a blind spot we just don’t see.
Internalizing
However, when we allow ourselves to get a bit complacent with our own growth, it is then that I believe we start to internalize it more. Perhaps that’s because we’re feeling much of what we may be giving and it’s not sitting well with our soul.
All About Growth
Its one thing to get judgment for something that doesn’t actually apply. Perhaps someone heard a rumor, misunderstood something you did or said, or maybe they’re actually criticizing themselves but using you as the scape goat. These are all actual possibilities, but I also think we go here first far too often.
Before we shrug everything off as their problem – maybe we do need to do a little introspection just to be sure that’s not an actual spot light we need to pay attention to. It’s not easy, but fuck… that’s some of the best growth you will find at at times!
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