criticism

Everyone’s a critic.

Or so they say.

Ok, yeah, I guess that’s true enough. It’s just so easy to be critical. Let’s be honest, there’s an unhealthy satisfaction that comes with tearing something (or someone) else down. It makes you feel better about yourself and is usually a great cover up for your own shortcomings.

If you’ve followed this blog for long, you’ll know I’ve admitted to playing the critic many a time. Too many a time. Hey, I’m working on it.

That said, not all criticism is bad and some of it can actually be pretty darn helpful—both to the critic and the one receiving the critique.

Speaking of helpful, the ever-helpful K.M. Weiland has shared some thoughts about how we should be critical when it comes to stories.

I appreciate how she dove into some of the things that cause the critic within us to rise up strong as well as offering some healthy ways to approach criticism.

I think it’s beneficial just to step back and examining where the drive comes from and why our culture fosters it.

For me, the big question is: what is my criticism producing? Does it build up or break down? Is it making me into a kinder or meaner person? I believe both avenues are available whenever we choose to play the critic.

I’ve also gotten back into watching a lot of Brené Brown again. See my previous post, The Arena, about facing the critics (something that still kinda freaks me out).

One thing she often brings up: for many of us creatives, the worst critic is always the one living within. They know exactly how to break us and just what buttons to push to set us off. Yes, the inner critic is a venerable adversary.

On one podcast (I think it was Grammar Girl) I heard an interview with an author who actually gave names and made up specific voices for each of her different inner critics.

It was quite a humorous approach, and a useful one at that. I can see how doing such would help one realize just how ridiculous and outlandish the inner critic can be at times.

For me, it’s a big step just learning to recognize when that inner critic has started speaking.

Next is realizing how much he’s impeding on actual, good work getting accomplished. If I’m not careful, the inner critic can stop my creative project dead in its tracks. This is where accountability from others turns out to be a major boon.

Last is getting the inner critic to shut his big yapper. Maybe someday that will come, maybe not. Until then, I hope at least I can learn to nod, maybe even chuckle a bit, and then get back to doing the good stuff and, hopefully, allowing others to do the same without hindrance.