Welcome back to the Grounded Confidence podcast. In this episode, we explore a thought pattern that silently chips away at your self-worth and confidence every single day: self-criticism.
Many high-achieving women—especially Asian women leaders—have an intense inner critic that judges them for every little mistake, perceived flaw, or shortcoming. I know this voice intimately because I lived with it for years. It wasn’t until I slowed down and started connecting with myself through solitude and meditation that I began to notice just how harsh I was to myself.
🌿 In this episode, I share:
- The moment I realized how unkind my inner voice was
- How childhood experiences (like being shamed instead of comforted) conditioned me to become my own harshest critic
- What self-criticism does to your nervous system, your energy, and your ability to lead with grounded confidence
- How I used to ruminate for days on small mistakes—and how it left me drained and discouraged
💛 And most importantly, I introduce the antidote: self-compassion
Based on the research of Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion is not fluffy—it’s foundational. I walk you through its three key components:
- Mindfulness – Recognizing your struggles without judgment or suppression
- Common Humanity – Realizing that imperfection is part of being human
- Self-Kindness – Speaking to yourself with the same warmth and care you’d offer a dear friend
✨ A powerful real-life example:
I share a story about how I handled a stressful car breakdown and expensive mistake very differently—thanks to my self-compassion practice. Instead of spiraling into shame, I stayed grounded, calm, and solution-focused. That’s the power of changing your inner dialogue.
🧠 You’ll walk away with:
- A deeper understanding of where self-criticism comes from
- Why it keeps you stuck in fear, shame, and self-doubt
- A simple, daily practice to start shifting into a more compassionate, empowering relationship with yourself
🎧 Coming up next:
We’ll continue exploring common thought patterns that sabotage your confidence—and I’ll show you how to reframe them so you can step into your full power.
👉 Want to build your Grounded & Unshakable Confidence? I offer a free 45-minute clarity call to help you gain insight into where you are now, where you want to go, and what’s holding you back. If you’re ready to take action, email me at coco@nullcocoduancoaching.com.
💛 If this episode resonated with you, please:
✨ Leave a 5-star rating
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Until next time, remember: Be kind to yourself.
