You know that little voice in your head—the one that never seems to miss a chance to remind you of what you did wrong, what you should’ve said, or how you’ll probably mess up again? That’s self-criticism, or worse, self-rejection. And for many of us, it’s not just an occasional visitor—it’s a full-time companion. We’ve gotten so used to berating ourselves that we mistake it for motivation, as if tearing ourselves down will somehow push us to do better. But it never does. It only deepens our insecurity and distances us from our authentic self.

The truth is, self-criticism is a learned habit—an internalized voice of fear and self-doubt that’s been running unchecked for years. Maybe it started as a way to protect yourself from failure or rejection—“If I’m hard on myself, no one else can hurt me.” But over time, that protective instinct turns cruel. It becomes the habit of self-rejection, a quiet betrayal of who you really are.

In today’s episode, we’ll explore where this voice comes from, why it feels so powerful, and most importantly—how to begin breaking free from it. Because ending the habit of self-criticism isn’t about becoming perfect or endlessly positive—it’s about reclaiming your right to be human, to be imperfect, and to treat yourself with the same compassion you’d offer anyone you love.