How Trying to Avoid Rejection and Criticism Led to a Depressed Underachieving me.

Criticism leads to depression.

How did criticism lead to a depressed and underachieving me?

I love to be happy just because it feels better.

I love the fun of big ass goals.

I love the freedom of jumping even if I don’t know exactly how I’ll land.

I can’t stay in situations that don’t feel right for me.

I love the energy and structure that comes from working out and eating healthy every day.

I love being independent, but also being interdependent.

I have a lot of faith in myself and the universe.

I love looking my best…for me.

I believe you should do whatever it is you want to do.

I love when people smile and feel good.

I get really excited about personal development, spiritual practices and energy, and psychology and can talk about all of it forever.

I think all people are equal.

No one is better than anyone else, just different.

I don’t necessarily need to go out to have a good time (just music and the kitchen dance floor and I’m like ).

I don’t tolerate shit talking.

Maintaining relationships with people who jealously compete with me is a hell no.

I don’t think I’m the authority on what’s right for anyone else.

Life can be as easy and fun as you allow it to be.

These are the qualities I most love about myself and…

All of these qualities have been a source of criticism and/or rejection for me at some point.

Society, pop culture, old belief patterns, shitty relationships, comments from people on different path.

Feelings of criticism and rejection were so painful because I would wonder if something was wrong with me and how I am.

Over time I let the criticisms and the beliefs and behaviors of other people seep in until I hit a breaking point.

I started to hide more and more of the parts of me that make me who I am…that make me come alive.

The things that had always resulted in successful outcomes or at least in feeling aligned within myself.

I shifted into believing that if I toned it all down I would be safer around more people.

I tried to be lazier and “enjoy” all the free time that comes with being less me.I tried to like eating food that wasn’t on my plan.

It was uncomfortable.

I wasted a shit ton of time watching tv.

It was uncomfortable.

I kept the things I wanted to talk about inside.

It was uncomfortable.I didn’t put as much effort into my appearance and health.

It was uncomfortable.

I stayed in relationships that were not a good fit way too long and put in way too much effort.

It was uncomfortable.

I stayed safe, and I stayed small.

I was toning everything down to avoid rejection and criticism.

It worked.

But I was slowly destroying myself in the process.

Well f-ck that.

Real is where it’s at.

I like leaping, how I am, I don’t mind getting it “wrong.”

No one on the planet knows me better than I know me.

Be you.

Shine as bright as you want by being exactly who you are.

You can either avoid rejection from others or you can reject yourself.

One doesn’t actually matter…one means everything.

Be as smart, driven, fun, happy, free, and amazing as you are .