The criticism you fear most is your own

Dear friends,

There was a time when criticism terrified me.

Not because people said mean things — but because part of me agreed.

That’s the uncomfortable truth underneath most of our fear of judgment:

We’re not really afraid of their disapproval.

We’re afraid we’ll believe it.

People are fickle.

One day they’ll cheer you on. The next, they’ll tear you down.

You can’t control that.

But here’s what you can control: The way you feel about yourself.

And this isn’t some abstract mindset work.

It’s the foundation of how you show up when it counts.

So how do you build real self-approval?

One small way: Start each day with a list of appreciation — for you.

Write down 10 things you genuinely appreciate about yourself.

Your strengths.

Your growth.

Your integrity.

The way you keep showing up.

Do it for a week.

Then watch how your voice changes when you speak.

This is the work.

Not performing better.

But believing in yourself more fully — so your voice doesn’t need to beg for permission.

Your approval is the most powerful one there is.

With you,

Ryan Justin Jackson