Have you ever caught yourself thinking something like… ‘I’m so stupid…I can’t do anything right… everyone else has it together—why don’t I?’ If so, you’re not alone. Most of us talk to ourselves in ways we’d never speak to a friend. We push, criticize, blame, and shame ourselves—often without even realizing it. But why? Why are we so hard on ourselves?Both Self-criticism and what’s called negative bias are inherent aspects of the human psyche that evolved to protect us from reckless behavior. When, however, insecurity gets involved, then rather than protecting us, self-criticism becomes a psychological cudgel leading to stress, anxiety, and depression.

In this week’s Self-Coaching podcast, we’re digging into the psychology behind self-criticism—where it comes from, how it affects us, along with 5 steps to help you start being a little kinder to yourself.