My Toughest Critic
There is one person in my life who is harder on me about everything I do than anyone else. There is one person who is adept at pushing my buttons and making me as crazy as can be.
They drive me to drink and distraction. They are the reason my hair is falling out and my stomach aches. At times they have made me scream in frustration. I can’t count the number of times that I have threatened to just walk out and end my relationship with them, but as much as I want to the reality is that this is simply impossible.
And the reason that I am unable to do this is because my toughest critic is…..me.
That is the truth. I am harder on myself than anyone. I read my blog and time and time again I cringe at what I read because I think that the topic is silly, the words are poorly selected and I wonder why I don’t just scrap the whole thing
In my head I see myself as I was at 20. I have washboard abs, my body is chiseled from hours of working out and I still find time to read. I like that image and then I look at what 16 years of life has done and I see the same intensity in my eyes, broad shoulders, dark hair and a stomach that demonstrates a love for food. It is not horrible, but it is not what it could be.
So I flex and I see those abs reappear and I know that the Michelin Man is occupying my body and that if I took the time and made the effort I could evict him, but I don’t because I apparently don’t care. I care enough to be irritated, but not enough to change.
I look at the projects around my house and I see that I have managed to finish many of them but then I think about how hard my father worked and I feel like his work ethic exceeds my own by light years.
The list goes on and on. There are so many things that I could and can improve and I wonder how many I actually will. So I take a deep breath and consider what I have and where I am at and I have to admit that things are really pretty good, but sometimes I just have trouble accepting it.
And you know that in my reality the hardest person to please is myself. So my goal in the coming year is to try to relearn how to ease off on myself and to maintain some perspective.
I’d write more but it is far too late and I need to sleep now. Lailah tov from LA.
Jack's Shack September 26, 2005 at 5:49 am
LD, Mirty,
Thanks.
Mirty September 26, 2005 at 4:47 am
You know, some of us like our Teddy Bear hubbies. I like a little honey pot belly on a guy with twinkling eyes… a fellow who looks like he enjoys life, who will give a good massage…. Just my 2 cents….
LiquiDiamonds September 24, 2005 at 1:51 am
If being too hard on yourself caused you to examine yourself mercilessly and make changes -and then be done with it, it wouldn’t be bad. In the very short time posting here I’ve found you to be knowledgeable, entertaining, and surprisingly candid. Can many people say those things about themselves? I don’t think so.
As for the wrong words, this is a blog remember – not a manuscript for your editor.
Happy Weekend to you,Jack 🙂
Jack's Shack September 23, 2005 at 5:39 pm
Hi Chickybabe,
When I find that place I will let you know.
-Ann,
That feeling just sucks. Don’t tell your dad that I used that phrase though. 😉
LB,
Yep,
NJ,
Thanks.
Barbara,
I try, I really do.
BarbaraFromCalifornia September 23, 2005 at 3:39 pm
At first I thought you were going to say the toughest critic was your nagging wife!
We can all relate and identify with your post. Every one of us seeks perfection in some way or another. As you get older, you will realise that all we can do each and every day is our personal best, and surrender that so we can find some peace. It really does work, I guarentee you!
fsgsf September 23, 2005 at 1:33 pm
Dont be so hard on yourself Jack!
Peace!
NJ from NJ
Lil Bit September 23, 2005 at 11:23 am
We’re oftentimes hardest on ourselves… a built-in mechanism to help us grow & change. At least that’s my story; stickin’ to it! LOL
-Ann September 23, 2005 at 10:57 am
I know the feeling all too well. After I finish writing a book, I have to hide it from myself for about a month because I hate it so much, I can’t imagine any agent or editor wanting to read even a page of it.
ChickyBabe September 23, 2005 at 9:59 am
I read this post with a smile on my face because I could have written it myself (minus the references to the Michelin man, or should I say Micheline in my case :-)).
I too am trying to ease off a little, but it feels like complacency. If you find a happy medium, I would be glad to know about it!