Criticism isn’t easy to deal with even when it’s constructive.
Changing my mindset has helped me. I don’t want to be defensive or reactionary every time someone gives me feedback. That’s not the best attitude to have.
Besides, constructive criticism helps me improve and get better. I should listen to others, especially when they offer suggestions I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.
I try not to take any comments about my work personally. That’s obviously easier said than done, but more often than not, no one is attacking me. They’re just making a statement about my story.
I tend to seek out people I respect. I’m much more open to their opinions if I look up to them.
But when I receive feedback from a stranger or someone I don’t like, I do my best to see where s/he is coming from. After all, nobody has the same experiences as me.
What’s more, we can learn something from everyone, which is why I want to hear from different voices.
That said, I still filter. Not every remark is useful or helpful. The negative comments that serve no purpose are best ignored, forgotten.
Ultimately, I want to keep improving. There’s always room for improvement. I’m not perfect. I haven’t mastered everything, and I never will.
It’s important to hear people out whenever they provide helpful feedback. I’ll take what works and apply it to my own work. I can throw away what doesn’t.
At the end of the day, constructive criticism is part of life.