“The Art of Closeness” is a broad topic that can encompass many different areas related to building and maintaining close relationships. However, if you’re looking for ways to survive criticism from family members, here are five strategies that may help:

Stay calm and listen

 When someone criticizes you, it’s natural to feel defensive or upset. However, it’s important to try to stay calm and listen to what they are saying. Hear them out and try to understand their perspective.Staying calm and listening is an important strategy for surviving criticism from family members. When someone criticizes you, it can be easy to become defensive or upset, which can make it harder to hear what they’re saying. By staying calm and listening, you can show the person that you’re willing to hear them out and that you value their perspective.

To stay calm and listen effectively, it can be helpful to take a few deep breaths and try to detach yourself emotionally from the criticism. Focus on what the person is saying and try to understand their point of view. Ask questions if you need clarification and try to avoid interrupting or getting defensive.

Remember that staying calm and listening doesn’t mean you have to agree with the criticism or accept it as valid. It simply means that you’re willing to hear the other person out and engage in a productive conversation. By doing so, you may be able to find common ground or come to a better understanding of each other’s perspectives.

Don’t take it personally

 Remember that criticism often says more about the person giving it than it does about you. Try not to take it personally or let it affect your self-esteem.”Don’t take it personally” is another important strategy for surviving criticism from family members.How to Handle Criticism From Family When someone criticizes you, it’s natural to feel hurt, defensive, or attacked. However, it’s important to remember that criticism often says more about the person giving it than it does about you.

It’s important to keep in mind that everyone has their own opinions, beliefs, and biases that influence how they see the world. Sometimes, criticism can be based on these factors rather than objective facts or reality. In other cases, criticism may be a reflection of the person’s own insecurities, fears, or frustrations, and has little to do with your own actions or behavior.

By not taking criticism personally, you can protect your self-esteem and maintain a healthier perspective. Remember that you are not defined by other people’s opinions of you and that you have the power to choose how you respond to criticism. Instead of letting criticism bring you down, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should dismiss all criticism or refuse to take responsibility for your actions. If the criticism is constructive and aimed at helping you improve, it’s important to take it seriously and use it to make positive changes. However, if the criticism is unfair or unwarranted, it’s okay to acknowledge it and move on without letting it affect your sense of self-worth.

Set boundaries

If the criticism is coming from a family member who tends to be overly critical or negative, it’s okay to set boundaries. Let them know that while you appreciate their concern, you prefer to handle things your own way.

Setting boundaries is another important strategy for surviving criticism from family members. If you have a family member who is overly critical or negative, it’s important to establish clear boundaries to protect your emotional well-being.

Setting boundaries can involve a variety of actions, depending on your specific situation. For example, you might choose to limit your contact with the family member, avoid certain topics of conversation, or calmly assert your own opinions and beliefs when criticized.

It’s important to communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully, and to follow through with consequences if they are crossed. For example, if a family member continues to criticize you despite your requests to stop, you might choose to end the conversation or leave the room.

It’s also important to remember that setting boundaries is not a sign of weakness or disrespect. It’s a healthy way to protect yourself from emotional harm and to maintain a healthier relationship with your family member.

Finally, it’s worth noting that setting boundaries may be challenging or uncomfortable at first, especially if you’re not used to asserting yourself in this way.

Seek support: Talking to a trusted friend, therapist, or other family members who are supportive can help you cope with the criticism and gain perspective.

conclusion

In conclusion, surviving criticism from family members can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help. By staying calm and listening, you can show that you value the other person’s perspective and work to find common ground. By not taking criticism personally, you can protect your self-esteem and maintain a healthier perspective. And by setting boundaries, you can protect your emotional well-being and establish a healthier relationship with your family member.

Ultimately, the key to surviving criticism from family members is to remember that you have the power to choose how you respond to criticism. By using these strategies and staying true to your own values and beliefs, you can build healthier relationships and maintain a stronger sense of self-worth.