Often, we get hung up on our shortcomings, forgetting to remember the advantages, so we tend to self-criticism. And here’s the problem: the smarter you are, the more often you condemn yourself for weaknesses, ignoring the advantages.
You’re constantly analyzing and thinking about yourself so deeply that you get stuck in a loop of negative thoughts. Let’s look at eight signs that this may be your habit — you are intelligent, but you allow your inner critic to get the better of you.
8 signs that you are smart but too self-critical
1. You are a perfectionist
You can set incredibly high standards and expect only the best from yourself. You often stay up late at work, reread the letter several times before sending it, and get hung up on minor details in your personal life. You also constantly feel dissatisfied and get very upset when things don’t go the way you intended.
Striving for the best is commendable, but only when it does not exceed reasonable limits. Constantly trying to achieve the ideal feeds your inner critic and also makes you overly meticulous. Because of this, you often experience burnout, stress, and a constant feeling that you are missing something. All these feelings are not conducive to happiness.
2. You often resort to self-deprecation
Indeed, you know this habit: instead of enjoying praise, you dismiss it as a “perfect coincidence,” as if your work and intelligence have nothing to do with your success. Or you feel very uncomfortable when others mark your work, and at the same time, you often resort to self-deprecating humor.
Of course, modesty has its charm, but constantly belittling yourself, especially considering that you have achieved a lot, only reinforces low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with yourself.
3. Are you afraid of failure
The fear of failure can be paralyzing. It keeps us from taking justified risks, following our hobbies, and trying to try something new. You may notice that you cling to what you already know and hide in your comfort zone to avoid a possible collision with failure.
But mistakes and failures are just part of a crazy life race. If you perceive them as a disaster, the inner critic will take some time. V I S I T . A F R I N I K . C O M . It may be time to rethink your relationship with failure. Instead of seeing her as proof of your weaknesses, think of her as a teacher and nothing more.
4. It’s hard for you to accept compliments
The inner critic’s voice makes you take even the kindest compliments with caution. You dismiss them because you are used to downplaying your achievements, doubting yourself or the sincerity of the person who says them. Perhaps you feel uncomfortable when you find yourself at the center of attention, or you think that you are an unremarkable person.
It happens that the very fact of accepting a compliment seems too selfish and arrogant an act. The truth is that everyone deserves to have their merits and successes noticed. The fact that other people celebrate your efforts, skills, intelligence, and achievements is an excuse to say “thank you” and smile simply because someone sees the good in you.
5. You are constantly comparing yourself to someone
You need intelligence and observation to notice other people’s little things and character traits. But sometimes, they joke cruelly on us, so we get into the habit of comparing ourselves to others. And, of course, you’re not doing it to your advantage. Maybe you learn about a friend’s promotion and immediately feel like a loser because you have yet to achieve similar career successes.
Or you start to doubt your life choice when you notice that one of your classmates posts photos of a luxurious vacation at sea. You’re doing wrong by comparing your backstage with other people’s highlights. The beautiful picture you see does not always correspond to reality. Instead of comparing yourself to others, you must focus on your growth and progress.
6. You’re hesitating
Perhaps you are postponing the start of the project, not because you are not confident in your abilities but because you are afraid to make the wrong choice. You may even notice that you start cleaning the house quickly or get distracted by anything to avoid some big task. The irony is that procrastination often leads to even more stress and self-criticism.
So the next time you find yourself putting things off for later, try breaking them down into smaller parts and gradually starting to do them. Cheer yourself up by saying, “Progress is better than perfection.” You’ll be surprised how much you can achieve and do everything if you think less and act more.
7. You neglect to take care of yourself
If you are brilliant but overly self-critical, there is a high probability that you put other people’s needs above your own. You may be working late, skipping meals, or needing more sleep to meet deadlines or help others. Neglecting one’s well—being does not benefit anyone – as they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
If you’re exhausted, stressed, and exhausted, you can’t put all your energy into work, relationships, or anything else. Self—care is not a manifestation of selfishness—it is necessary to maintain physical and mental health. So find time for yourself and activities that will be useful and enjoyable for you.
8. You’re looking for approval
Remember: your value is not determined by external approval. But it can be challenging to learn this, mainly if you are used to seeking recognition from others to feel good. It’s nice to be respected and recognized for your success, but putting someone else’s opinion of you at the top of everything is a flawed strategy that always ends in disappointment. Your self-esteem should not need someone’s confirmation because you are intelligent and good enough just to love and appreciate yourself.
