Member-only story
Growing up, I experienced mixed signals of encouragement and hypercriticism. For anybody in this environment, it can be really confusing. Eventually, I learned the importance of constructive feedback.
1. Encouraging environment
A place that is supportive, loving, embraces mistakes and helps one believe in themselves. We know from research, these environments do wonders for one’s mental, cognitive and emotional health.
2. Hypercritical environment
A place that focuses on minor mistakes, overbearing, does not embrace change and may make one feel they can’t do anything right. Again, these kind of environments wreak havoc on one’s overall health. Especially long-term exposure over a lifetime.
How these two places affected my way of thinking
On one hand, I felt supported. On the other hand, I felt like I couldn’t do anything right. Taking on a new perspective was weird, strange and looked down upon. Unfortunately, this weighed heavily on my confidence and most aspects in life.
Over time, I tried my best to ‘fit in’ to what my external environment was like.