Dear reader,
Today I want to tell you more about the second necklace of Vulnerability Shields collection.
This pendant is inspired by the concept of Criticism! How can we wear criticism as a vulnerability shield, you ask? Well, keep reading and I'll tell you all about it.
We often use criticism to shield ourselves from actually feeling vulnerability. For example, you might judge someone else for pursuing a career in arts, while you're trying to make it in the world of finance (a totally random example). You might say 'Did you see, she quit her job and is now trying to change careers', which would usually be accompanied by a an eye roll and a sigh. But why do you say this?
Because it is a lot less vulnerable than sitting down and saying 'Gosh, I saw she's trying to pursue a whole new career and I'm feeling so envious of her courage. I wanted to make a change for a long time but I don't dare. I also wish to go for what I really want.'
Criticism's vulnerability shield 'protects' us from looking inwards and understanding our own wishes, triggers and histories. But that's a false friend, because it is not really serving us right.
So next time, when you catch yourself criticising someone else, I want you to touch the 'Criticism' necklace you're wearing ask yourself these questions:
1. What’s happening INSIDE of me?
2. What is getting triggered?
3. What do I need?
I now use criticism as my guiding light to indicate my unmet needs, my unexpressed wishes and unexamined limiting beliefs. Because whenever I judge and criticise someone else, it's never about them but it's always about me.
Thank you for reading,
Aistė
