10/22/2026
We often think avoiding criticism and seeking praise are completely different things, but underneath both can be the same question: “What do other people think of me?”
If criticism makes you question your worth and praise is what makes you feel worthy, your sense of self is still being influenced by other people’s opinions. That can make even everyday decisions exhausting because you’re constantly wondering if you’ve said the right thing, made the right choice or disappointed someone. Self-trust doesn’t mean you stop caring what other people think. It means their opinion doesn’t become the final authority on how you feel about yourself.