Student Wellbeing

Hey there, Teen Titans! Are You Being Too Tough on Yourself?

Alright, let's dive into a topic that's as common as TikTok challenges but not as fun: being hard on yourself. Yep, we're talking about that inner voice that can sometimes be louder than your mum's "clean your room" reminders.

You see, being your own critic is kind of like a universal teenage experience. Whether it's stressing over grades, comparing yourself to Insta influencers, or just feeling like you're not measuring up, we've all been there. But here's the thing: It's totally normal to have doubts and insecurities. What's not cool is letting those doubts run the show and beat you down.

So, in this article, we're gonna unpack the whole self-criticism thing, figure out if you're being too harsh on yourself, and most importantly, give you some tips to dial down that inner meanie and start showing yourself some love.

Signs You're Being Too Hard on Yourself:

Friend Test: Imagine your inner critic saying those mean thoughts to your bestie. Would you ever talk to them like that? Probably not. So why do it to yourself?
Excuse Factory: Do you find yourself making excuses for other people's crappy behaviour toward you? Yeah, that's a red flag that you might not be valuing yourself enough.
Feelings, Schmeelings: Your emotions are like your personal GPS. Ignoring them or pretending they don't matter is like trying to drive blindfolded. Not a great idea.
Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda: Ever catch yourself saying, "I should have done this" or "I should be more like that"? Yeah, stop "shoulding" all over yourself. It's not helping.
Sensitive Soul: So what if you're a little more in touch with your feelings than others? Sensitivity is not a weakness, my friend. It's what makes you human.

How to Be Kinder to Yourself:

Call Out Your Inner Meanie: First things first, recognise when your inner critic is going off on a rant. It's like spotting a troll in the comment section – shut it down!
Give Yourself Some Love: Your feelings are valid, dude. Don't let anyone, including yourself, tell you otherwise. Give yourself a mental fist bump and move on.
Flip the Script: Challenge those negative thoughts. Ask yourself if they're really true or just a bunch of you know what. Hint: It's usually the latter.
Treat Yo' Self: Seriously, do something nice for yourself every day. Whether it's chilling with your favourite playlist or indulging in a Netflix binge, you deserve it.
Block the Haters: If you've been soaking up negative vibes from other people, it's time to hit that unfollow button. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

Additional Points to Remember:

Social Media Isn't Reality: Remember, people usually only share the highlights of their lives on social media. It's not a true reflection of reality, so don't compare your behind-the-scenes with someone else's highlight reel.
Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities: Nobody's perfect, and that's okay! Every mistake is a chance to learn and grow. Embrace the journey, bumps and all.
You're Not Alone: Seriously, you're not the only one who feels this way. Talk to a friend, a family member, or a trusted adult if you're struggling. You'd be surprised how many people can relate.

Final Word:

Alright, squad, here's the deal: Life can be tough, but that doesn't mean you have to be tough on yourself. Cut yourself some slack, okay? You're navigating the wild ride of teenage-hood, and that's no small feat. So, keep being kind to yourself, keep learning and growing, and most importantly, keep being your awesome, unique self. You got this!

Thoughts on Trial.pdf