"At the end of the day it is about not judging yourself"

Not judging yourself—sounds simple, right? But let's break it down. This idea is all about self-compassion. Imagine you’re your own best friend. You wouldn’t harshly criticize your best friend for making a mistake, so why do it to yourself? This mindset can be especially liberating in a world constantly pushing us to be perfect.

Historically, this concept has roots in various philosophies and religions. Buddhism, for instance, emphasizes self-compassion and mindfulness. The idea is that we are all human and inherently imperfect. The goal is not to beat ourselves up but to learn and grow from our experiences.

Now, let's get practical. Think about a student named Sarah. She’s in her final year of university and just bombed an important exam. She’s devastated, thinking it’s the end of the world. But instead of spiraling into self-doubt, she takes a breath and reminds herself that one exam doesn’t define her worth. She analyzes what went wrong—maybe she was anxious, didn’t understand the material well, or simply had an off day. Sarah uses this information to improve her study habits, seek help from a tutor, and practice mindfulness to manage her anxiety. By not judging herself harshly, she turns a setback into a learning opportunity.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by catching yourself when you’re being self-critical. Pause and consider if you’d say those same words to a friend. Chances are, you wouldn’t. Replace harsh judgments with constructive criticism. Instead of saying, “I’m so stupid for making that mistake,” try, “I made a mistake, but I can learn from this.” It’s a small shift but can make a huge difference in your mental well-being.

Picture this: You’re at work. You just gave a presentation and felt like you stumbled over every word. Now, you’re sitting at your desk, replaying every moment. But then you stop. You think, “Okay, it wasn’t perfect, but I prepared well and did my best. What can I improve for next time?” Maybe you’ll practice more or seek feedback from a colleague. The point is, you didn’t let self-judgment paralyze you.

To wrap up, this idea of not judging yourself is about being kind to yourself. It’s recognizing we’re all fallible and that’s okay. Next time you’re hard on yourself, imagine how you’d support a friend in the same situation. You deserve that same kindness. So, cut yourself some slack—you’re doing just fine.